Is it time for an asian world champ?

[Rollermacka]

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At one point I actually liked Kenzo before they made him a joke. So now that we've seen Lord Tensi, do you think that they could bring in a wrestler (who's actually from asian decent) and become a world champ? I don't mean a sereotype (a Ninja, Sumo, Karate Master, etc) but kinda like Sheamus who is a professional wrestler who just so happens to be from another country.

[CSL]

of course they could. there just isn't somebody that "fits the criteria" under contract atm

[Lock Jaw]

Kenzo was pretty brutal before they made him a joke. Afterwards, I mildly enjoyed him.

[Rammsteinmad]

Agreed. A lot of Japanese (or 'Asian') wrestlers are either really small, or really big (in the gut department). They're all intense, hard-hitting wrestlers, but none of them really have that WWE Superstar, or WWE/World Champion look.

[CSL]

I think you're paying too much attention to the Tajiri's, Taka's, Kenzo's, Tatsu's aka the guys that wind up in America, plenty of guys with the right "look" past and present in Japan

[ClockShot]

Masahiro Chono would fit the bill. But that's 10 years ago and during his stint on WCW.

Masato Tanaka is still going. Might get flak for being Mysterio weight, but I see him as a legit guy to hold a "heavyweight" title. He's busy working 2 promotions at once right now.

[Indifferent Clox]

Shingo

[CSL]

is pretty Smallo

[CSL]

if we're naming guys who could potentially "look the part", Tanahashi looks better than 70-80% of guys under contract to Vince atm

[Lock Jaw]

As long as they are managed by Sonny Onoo.

[Indifferent Clox]

Is tanahashi the current Ghc champ?

[Indifferent Clox]

Cyber gorilla!

[GD]

lol

http://www.wrestlingwiththetruth.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/080307khali3.jpg

http://www.wrestlingsuperstars.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/12.jpg

These dudes are Asian WWE World Champions.

[Lock Jaw]

REAL Asians. Geez. :roll:

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Yeah, Tanahashi definitely. But, we all know that won't happen.

[Lock Jaw]

Googled that dude:

http://tomandmikepresentt.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/tanahashi.jpg

With that look, he would definitely be treated like Yoshi Tatsu. Probably slightly better. Maybe Hunico level "success".

[Emperor Smeat]

Is there anyone right now that has a huge enough following worldwide or the US to be even considered by the WWE?

Big reason why Khali and Del Rio got quick pushes to become champion was to take advantage of the huge Latino and Indian markets that were also huge WWE markets. Although Khali didn't get a reign with the top belt and instead the lower World title.

Wouldn't be surprised if the first real Asian champion comes from China more than Japan considering how huge of a market the WWE could generate if it was from China like how the NBA benefited huge from Yao Ming's presence in the NBA. Japan and the Samoan Islands produce great wrestlers but don't come close to the huge market China could bring in for the WWE if the champion was from there.

[Pintint]

The problem is finding a big Chinese/Japanese hoss.

I only seem to see cruiser/middle weight guys come from there.

It takes a lot more for a non hoss to win the title...

[GD]

REAL Asians. Geez. :roll:

The Great Khali is a pretty real Asian dude. Whereas, Batista is of Asian ancestry.

[James Steele]

if we're naming guys who could potentially "look the part", Tanahashi looks better than 70-80% of guys under contract to Vince atm

What? He looks like every other "fit" wrestler.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQYgdIz-NHc/Tm6vT2mZnhI/AAAAAAAAP70/U4IBBv2TrsA/s1600/hiroshi+tanahashi.jpg

[CSL]

I don't mean he's bigger than most guys, he stands out and not in a gimmicky way, hair, gear, bitches love him etc

[CSL]

he's more likely to stop random somebody from flicking through TV channels than Jack Swagger is for instance

[Rollermacka]

The problem is finding a big Chinese/Japanese hoss.

I only seem to see cruiser/middle weight guys come from there.


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I dont know, Daisuke seems like a pretty strong guy. :p

[Tom Guycott]

I was going to say Chono, but ClockShot already beat me to it. With the revolving door of management around there, I wouldn't be surprised if that was actually in the works in WCW at some point, and got scrapped.


It's going to take a perfect storm for it to happen. WWE seems to love the stereotypical route with Asian guys... only one that broke the mold AND ran with it was Yang, but he didn't have the size to be taken as anything other than champion of what was left of the cruiserweights/light heavyweights/wtfever they were calling the division at the time.

By perfect storm, I mean a guy who "looks the shit", but also doesn't OR be made to speak Engrish with a real heavy accent or saddled with some sort of "AAAHHHH, ME SO ASIANNNN" gimmick that he won't recover from.

[Lock Jaw]

For an Asian dude to get over in America, he would have to have some size to him, and not look like an anime character. Would have to look like one of those badass Asian people who look like they could F you up. Or like a successful CEO businessman. So he would probably need to be a bit of an "older" guy.

[GD]

Googled that dude:

http://tomandmikepresentt.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/tanahashi.jpg

With that look, he would definitely be treated like Yoshi Tatsu. Probably slightly better. Maybe Hunico level "success".

Looks handsome and dashing.

[DLVH84]

Or how about a gang of tough Japanese wrestlers like CHAOS?

[Rock Bottom]

Sure, why not. Last "Asian" (Samoan) champ was Yoko, and he got over well. Give Albert a run at the WHC and see how he does.

[Rock Bottom]

Oh wait, he's not Asian either. Get a real Asian (someone who is from Asia), and sure.

Great Khali is an Asian. Push that mother fucker to the moon baby!

O wait, he was champ.

WHO?

[Tom Guycott]

Googled that dude:

http://tomandmikepresentt.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/tanahashi.jpg

With that look, he would definitely be treated like Yoshi Tatsu. Probably slightly better. Maybe Hunico level "success".

Don't know this guy, but let's assume he's the right size to stand toe to toe with, say, Orton, and not automatically assume he's going to job, let's just say he is brought to the 'E:


1) The hair has to go. Might be a big thing with him right now, but it screams "Yoshi Tatsu". Even if he keeps the partial dye job, the mullet looking thing only worked for Eddie. Won't be taken seriously. Crop it like Jericho.

2) Again, his English speaking shouldn't be a characature. If the guy is fucking fluent, don't "Asian him up".

3) There's a difference in letting him come to the ring as a "hotshot pretty boy" accompanied by "two different, hot Asian bitches" as arm charms every week, (sorta like Godfather) as opposed to having him flanked by painted Geishas. Put him in a suit out of the ring and semi-standard ring attire in it as opposed to opting to costume him up in robes like he just stepped out of a Kurisawa film and have his tights have all sorts of Kanji all over it.

4) Have him bunk the perception that an Asian guy = fast, agile, high-flyer. More power moves and mat wrestling, less rope running and 450s off of everything.

5) Also: NO. FUCKING. MIST!

Unfortunatly, these seem to be steps that the WWE would CLEARLY avoid, even in this hypothetical.

He'd just be another Asian guy pushed as uber-Asian guy. The most he could hope for would be to tag with Yoshi and maybe win a few championships in a revamped tag divison.

[XL]

I think this thread is missing the term "oriental".

[Tom Guycott]

Oriental is a rug, not a race.

But, I see the point that the thread is supposed to be about someone from the FAR EAST, as in clearly and visibly from somewhere like China (the nation, not the "pornstar"), Japan, Korea, etc.

People are splitting hairs with the Khali thing. You know full well that wasn't the point. Nobody was trying to think up a Russian champion.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Morishima probably could have gotten a Mark Henry style push and worked too.

[Rollermacka]

Or how about a gang of tough Japanese wrestlers like CHAOS?

I was watching NJPW, is that the stable of Masato Tanaka, Jado, Gedo and Yujiro? Even though all four of them are amazing wrestlers (and look in better shape than they did 10 years ago) I dont know if he'd bring them in because of their age. Then again, they did bring back A Train so we never know.

[Hanso Amore]

Is there anyone right now that has a huge enough following worldwide or the US to be even considered by the WWE?

Big reason why Khali and Del Rio got quick pushes to become champion was to take advantage of the huge Latino and Indian markets that were also huge WWE markets. Although Khali didn't get a reign with the top belt and instead the lower World title.

Wouldn't be surprised if the first real Asian champion comes from China more than Japan considering how huge of a market the WWE could generate if it was from China like how the NBA benefited huge from Yao Ming's presence in the NBA. Japan and the Samoan Islands produce great wrestlers but don't come close to the huge market China could bring in for the WWE if the champion was from there.

No shit. Cna you imagine the erection Vince would get if a Chinese Hoss that looked like Swagger walked in his door?

Would be a huge market to tap into.

Not sure why you guys are pulling the "THAT HAIR IS TOO TATSU"

If Tatsu got fired in 6 weeks people would forget him and not care about Tanahashis hair.

I think if he was somehow to show up, with a mouth piece, and challenge Punk for BEST IN THE WORLD it could be a pretty decent money draw for a PPV or two.

Obviously he would need to last awhile to get the title.

the problem with getting someone born and raised in China, Korea, Japan etc is getting them through the major language and cultural gap.

[Lock Jaw]

If Tatsu got fired in 6 weeks people would forget him and not care about Tanahashis hair.

It isn't about Tatsu.

If you have hair like an anime character, you will be treated like a cartoon and not taken seriously.

For an "Oriental" to get over, he would need almost a buzz cut so you would know he is "serious business".

[DLVH84]

I was watching NJPW, is that the stable of Masato Tanaka, Jado, Gedo and Yujiro? Even though all four of them are amazing wrestlers (and look in better shape than they did 10 years ago) I dont know if he'd bring them in because of their age. Then again, they did bring back A Train so we never know.

No, that's the Complete Players.

CHAOS consist of Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Jado, Gedo, Yujiro, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, and Kazuchika Okada, although Masato Tanaka is an associate.

[Jordan]

I think if he was somehow to show up, with a mouth piece, and challenge Punk for BEST IN THE WORLD it could be a pretty decent money draw for a PPV or two.

Obviously he would need to last awhile to get the title.

the problem with getting someone born and raised in China, Korea, Japan etc is getting them through the major language and cultural gap.

Whoa whoa whoa... now nothing against Tanahashi, he's fantastic. But what makes you think he would be a "draw" in America with Punk?

If WWE were to do a Japan only PPV and release it on DVD in the States, that could work. But why do you think people would pay for Tanahashi having no idea who he is? They'd just think it was Yoshi Tatsu vs CM Punk.

If WWE got Tanahashi for a deal, you'd have to hype him by airing videos from NJPW on Raw, have him do a match where he kills somebody that matters, but also showing the similarities between him and Punk, then it might work. But come on, it would never happen.

[Lock Jaw]

Does TNA still do that World X Cup thing? Thought that was always a neat idea.

[whiteyford]

If WWE were to do a Japan only PPV and release it on DVD in the States, that could work.

Would actually like to see them do this,maybe just as a Raw main event when they're in Japan/Mexico etc., have them defend a world title or the intercontinental belt against a local name talent.

[Rollermacka]

No, that's the Complete Players.

CHAOS consist of Shinsuke Nakamura, Toru Yano, Takashi Iizuka, Jado, Gedo, Yujiro, YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, and Kazuchika Okada, although Masato Tanaka is an associate.

Oh, so I guess the four that I saw were just kinda a group within the stable? Well, the four that I saw could kinda work as a stable in WWE. Older fans would recognize Tanaka, Jado and Gedo. Yujiro is a decient size guy and younger so he could be the focus of the group. I usually see the other three with Kendo Sticks so they could be the "back up". Its said all the time but with proper booking a serious heel stable from Japan could work.

[theexample]

I think champions should be crowned based on wrestling ability rather than ethnicity.

[Shisen Kopf]

Voted yes but only if its Jinder Mahal

[KIRA]

Fuck Yes and Nakamura should be holding the World title right now

[Destor]

No. There isnt a demand for one