The reason why the Hirohito gimmick was scrapped
 

The word from backstage is that Kenzo and Hiroko Suzuki talked Vince McMahon into nixing the Hirohito gimmick due to the potential backlash it would have with WWE's loyal Japanese fans. WWE makes a lot of money off its tours to the region, and offending them with such a gimmick would not be worth it.

Suzuki will now likely move to SmackDown, although, was originally scheduled to be in RAW's main-event in a title feud with Benoit.

Some sources claim that this was a thoroughly-planned angle by WWE, and Benoit and Jericho were announced as being from the US to create US vs. Japan feuds with Hirohito. Both men were expected to work high-profile feuds with Suzuki's Hirohito character, although plans have been scrapped. It is not known how highly he'll be pushed on SmackDown!

[Source: PWTorch.com Newsletter]

They could have just changed his name, no need to move him to Smackdown.

I know and a Benoit fued would have been sweet

What was the gimmick going to be? Japanese emperor?? :?:

i think it was going to be smoething about the bombing of Hiroshima (sp?) and talking about making up for the mistakes made 50 years ago or something to that effect

lol. the japanese people will be seriously offended. :rant:

No kidding?

Damn, I doubt they would have ever got a Japanese worker to go with that stupid gimmick. He/she wouldn't have dared go back to the country.

, what booker had the "genius" idea to have Benoit and Jericho represent the USA in a USA vs. Japan feud?

Some sources claim that this was a thoroughly-planned angle by WWE, and Benoit and Jericho were announced as being from the US to create US vs. Japan feuds with Hirohito. Both men were expected to work high-profile feuds with Suzuki's Hirohito character, although plans have been scrapped. It is not known how highly he'll be pushed on SmackDown!


Couldn't of been that well thought through considering jericho and benoit are canadian, and the writers wonder why us 'net fans' talk shit about them all the time?

I didnt like the whole gimmick anyway so the lost isnt that bad for me.

You see they would have to lie about Jericho and Beniot being American because there are only a handful of American wrestlers.

It was a good idea to drop it.

It was all just an excuse to brainwash into forgetting Benoit and Jericho are Canadian. Trust me. I'm not telling you anything you don't already--

*gets kidnapped by the Vince McMahon Smark Spy Force*

:lol:

Didn't you hear? There's no such thing as a Canadian babyface. Jericho's from New York, and Benoit's from Georgia!

*imagines Benoit in stereotypical southern redneck garb....shudders*

This could be good news for Kenzo, by the way, since, by being moved to Smackdown! and by being a heel, he's now an instant main eventer.

Hey Godwinns!

I TOOK YER JERB!