|
To be honest, I think that one of the reasons WWE even hired KENTA was so that nobody else could. There is precedent in them signing people with some sort of name behind them and some buzz just because that name and buzz isn't associated with WWE, and really not having any plans for them upon hire.
Then, there's the penchant for WWE thinking simply being x nationality IS a gimmick in and of itself... doubly true for anyone Asian, from TAKA to Kenzo Suzuki and so on. Only person who even remotely 180'd from that was Jimmy Wang Yang until Shinsuke showed up. Refreshingly, he got to remain pretty much who and what he is in and of itself instead of trying to repackage the guy into yet another "stereotype karate guy". Hideo Itami, unfortunately, didn't escape that fate.
Add into that the fact that CM Punk admitted ages ago that he wholesale lifted the GTS from him, and then fast forward to a time when they want nothing that any fans would remotely associate with Punk to get any sort of chance for chants on TV, and the guy couldn't even use his own finisher for ages.
Stripped of himself, his signature, and then a long injury hiatus... he seriously needs an overhaul to be able to gain any sort of traction again. Maybe- hopefully- this thing with Aries will be that spark. But this is WWE, so I've learned not to expect the best possible outcome automatically.
|