Lord Tensai's Push (Keep it all in here!!!!)

[Poop Master Flex]

All I got to say is this.

There's a reason why Albert was "so good" in Japan and not in America, you don't NEED charisma to get over in Japan, of course it helps but your in ring work speaks a lot more to the audience in Japan than it does to your average North American fan. Albert's work is snug and he is a big guy, that's the reason he got over in Japan, simple as that. This is where the phrase "Everybody is better in Japan" came from. Just look at Johnny Ace for example, someone who has no charisma, is as interesting as watching paint dry but did tremendous in Japan.

Lord Tensai has ZERO charisma, his charisma simply doesn't exist and that's exactly why I don't want to see him get a monster heel push. Even though his in ring work isn't bad he's still boring to watch and I was bored of him literally 90 seconds after his debut. He will dominate on the lower to mid card for a little while but people will get sick of him and in 6 months he will probably be losing to Hunico cleanly. He needs to get some character and charisma under his belt very quick or he won't last long in the WWE.

 

[Paul Bunyan's Axe]

While I don't doubt he may not go very far, but i'm sort of doubting your qualifications to judge ring skills. He's slow? I'm sorry, but if you're methodically tearing someone apart are you supposed to rush through it? It's called ring psychology. His character appears to enjoy hurting people and likes to take his time doing it. Someone who enjoys causing pain is not going to dry hump them on the mat Kurt Angle style nor are they going to go through a million technical moves. I think he would have been better served going with his A-train character, but so far he's made the best of what he's been given.

Have you watched any of his matches in Japan? I have, all of them he has the same issues; His delivery is slow, he's stiff, and can't move around the ring as well as anyone should.

The reason he dominated in Japan so much was because of lack of talent. I guarantee you, you could send Brodus Clay down there right now and he would rip through competition just as much as Tensai did.

 

[Paul Bunyan's Axe]

Albert/tensai is more if a powerhouse, while umaga was a different type of monster. He is still a good worker albert, a good character. And we need more characters in the company, it adds to the WWE roster and heck its better than having khali

That's because everyone is better than Khali.

I'm not saying he's not a good worker, I'm saying he doesn't really scream WWE Champion to me. Especially with how many of these big men are in the WWE today, is there really room for another? All of them are the same, and most of them can't wrestle to good standards.

 

[Headman]

Have you watched any of his matches in Japan? I have, all of them he has the same issues; His delivery is slow, he's stiff, and can't move around the ring as well as anyone should.

The reason he dominated in Japan so much was because of lack of talent. I guarantee you, you could send Brodus Clay down there right now and he would rip through competition just as much as Tensai did.

Yes, I did follow him in Japan and enjoyed what he did there. Actually I also enjoyed his last year or so in the WWE before going to Japan. I don't agree that lack of talent = dominance in Japan either. You describe someone who's laboring to move much in the way of Khali or even Mick Foley now days, but it's just not the case here. Comparing his matches ten years ago to five years ago reveals that he's learned to slow his matches down and get the most out of each move. If he speeds his moveset up people will probably start cheering for him, which isn't the reaction he wants right now I'm assuming. I'm not saying working this style in the WWE is going to translate into success, but it's not a lack of ability that will be his downfall. If you would have left the below average ring skill comment out we'd be in complete agreement. But I believe he's a talented guy who could help the roster if he weren't bogged down with this gimmick.

 

[akbigbadwolf]

Okay first off Albert has had how many years now to prove that he could work? If it wasn't for Trish Stratus would we even know or care who he is? Secondly he going to get buried with Ryback Showing the intensity that he is and just a matter of time before he gets to matchs with legit charectors, I really do see Albert getting dropped completely or repackaged by the end of the month. How many chances does he need to prove well SUCKS.

 

[dimice76]

What may hurt Tensai, is Brock Lesnar. If Brock didnt come back an hour after Tensai debuted he might have a better chance. Go back to 2000, when Tazz debuted and then a week later Benoit, Eddy, Saturn, malenko debuted and Tazz was an after thought. Instead of being a major player vs Cena and a major contender for the WWE title, he will end up being the guy Punk beats before he gets fed to Lesnar.

 

[OneTooManyPunts]

Have you watched any of his matches in Japan? I have, all of them he has the same issues; His delivery is slow, he's stiff, and can't move around the ring as well as anyone should.

The reason he dominated in Japan so much was because of lack of talent. I guarantee you, you could send Brodus Clay down there right now and he would rip through competition just as much as Tensai did.

I don't know that it's so much that there was a lack of talent, as much as it's the fact that Japanese wrestling fans love to see western wrestlers in their home country. Add in the fact that Matt Bloom looks nothing ike 99% o the talent on any Japan promotions roster, and he has the ability to stand out.

It's just not the same in WWE. There's endless big men, and they're fighting for a spot near the top just as much as the little guys these days. Ask Big Zeke and Mason Ryan.

 

[OneTooManyPunts]

Ok newsflash just because Tensai is slow and stiff does not mean he can't work. He is a good worker adn if he was able to work with the Japaanese guys why wouldn't he be able to work in the WWE. If anything the guys in Japan would make him look slower than the guy here.. He dominated over in Japan he is going to dominate her as well. Yea So far the gimmick overall i do not like but I am waiting cause i want to see how it developes. I am hoping at some point he will speak. There is nothing wrong with being a stiff worker I have never heard anyone use that as a way to say someone isnt good. Its not like he is injuring people out there. Goldberg was to stiff cause he didnt know what he was doing and it ended Bret Harts career. Thats a case where stiffness is no good but not in Tensai's case it just makes him look like more of a monster.

I get what you are saying, but Goldberg is/was easily more athletic than Tensai/Matt Bloom. Stiff in ring work is stiff in ring work, it can always lead to an injury.

It's the gimmick, not the man that's keeping him from going anywhere at this point, in my opinion.

 

[Peoples_Champ]

All I got to say is this.

There's a reason why Albert was "so good" in Japan and not in America, you don't NEED charisma to get over in Japan, of course it helps but your in ring work speaks a lot more to the audience in Japan than it does to your average North American fan. Albert's work is snug and he is a big guy, that's the reason he got over in Japan, simple as that. This is where the phrase "Everybody is better in Japan" came from. Just look at Johnny Ace for example, someone who has no charisma, is as interesting as watching paint dry but did tremendous in Japan.

Lord Tensai has ZERO charisma, his charisma simply doesn't exist and that's exactly why I don't want to see him get a monster heel push. Even though his in ring work isn't bad he's still boring to watch and I was bored of him literally 90 seconds after his debut. He will dominate on the lower to mid card for a little while but people will get sick of him and in 6 months he will probably be losing to Hunico cleanly. He needs to get some character and charisma under his belt very quick or he won't last long in the WWE.

I tend to disagree with you to an extent. I wouldn't say he has zero charisma, it's more that his character has not yet been defined. It's easier for a wrestler to show their charisma when their persona has definition (HBK, Bret, Austin when they were in tag teams for example).

He's obviously not the most charismatic and will rely on others for help getting over, but I think that once he gets over, he'll be very useful. As you mentioned, getting a character is the first step, but I don't think he'll be jobbing in six months. Maybe 18 months, but not before the Royal Rumble, at least.

 

[Paul Bunyan's Axe]

Lol, you're funny. "eltracy" Let me break this down.

Seriously...stop all the bitching.

I wasn't bitching, I was making a prediction. A wrestling forum is used to discuss what you think and don't think will happen.

It's been a COUPLE WEEKS.

No, it hasn't. It's been years. Just because he just debuted with the 'E doesn't mean he's new to wrestling.

Are you Nostradamus?

That's my business and no one else's

You can make a "Bold prediction" 2 weeks in?

No, I can make a bold prediction because I feel like it.

No. STFU.

U MAD???????

Give the guy a damn chance,

I gave him a chance during his Japan run

you don't work for WWE, you don't know where they're gonna go with the gimmick.

No, I don't, but neither does anyone else on a wrestling forum. A wrestling forum isn't WWE Head Quarters, it's a place for fans to voice their opinions, like I'm doing now.

I'm sure hes done more in the last 2 weeks then you'll do in your entire life.

Am I attempting to be a pro wrestler? No.

You act like I just said that I hated Tensai and hope he dies. No, that's not it. In fact I wouldn't mind seeing him climb to the top if he earns it. I'm just stating my opinion.

We all know it's the WWE and anything can happen to anybody, but I'm just stating my opinion, so get the fuck out of here, and don't come back until you have something intelligent to say.

 

[GI Cake]

Lord Tensai is a fantastic gimmick and has some serious potential. Tensai has the right build, gimmick, and so far a fantastic build up in Squash matches to make him much more of a threat. Tensai is mysterious, and has a mystique, regal look about him. Albert/A-Train has a serious shot to take this gimmick all the way to the Main-event if he is put into some serious programs. Once he works his way up, he can work a seriously good feud with guys like Kofi Kingston and Santino. Hell, even Brodus Clay would be a great match-up only if the booking and Tensai do a great job in displaying Tensai's character and who he is. And you are completely wrong about Tensai's ring ability in so many ways. It doesn't matter if he was Prince Albert, A-Train or Lord Tensai, his ring ability has always been really good. His feud with Undertaker and Chris Benoit always gave the crowd a great show. For every time Tensai gave the promotion he was working for a bad match, he had 5 great matches to make up for it. The guy is a great wrestler with a solid gimmick, which done right, can work wonders for him. With his size and ability, he can easily be booked into a Mid-Card feud with a baby face. And after he impresses the WWE Brass and the fans (again) he could easily see the main-event in due time.

 

[The Gribbler]

I think that it was Josh Isenberg who said that he sees Tensai in an Umaga type role within the company. That upper midcard monster who can step into any position on the card when called upon to play a legitimate threat to any superstar. And I could see Tensai in this position but with one problem, Mark Henry is pretty much doing that now.

I really don't know what they plan to do with him. He seems to have been hired with something in mind for him but I really don't think he can do anything that no one else on the roster could have done.

Just My Opinion

 

[rerun406]

^ that's what I wonder as well. As many people thought Johnny L's "Natural disasters will be in your future" statement to Punk meant that Tensai would be getting into a feud vs Punk

but with Punk already having title matches vs Mark Henry who himself can be looked at as a monster heel of sorts

why throw him (Punk) back into a feud with another monster heel type such a short time later?

 

[PowerHouse]

I get what you are saying, but Goldberg is/was easily more athletic than Tensai/Matt Bloom. Stiff in ring work is stiff in ring work, it can always lead to an injury.

It's the gimmick, not the man that's keeping him from going anywhere at this point, in my opinion.

Goldberg was more athletic and also far more careless in the ring with the people he was working with. Stiff in ring work does not always mean Injuries can happen that is totally not true. Guys like Stiener,Benoit,Scott Norton and other were all known for being stiff and in their prime NEVER hurt anyone due to stiffness. Goldberg was stiff and careless its the carelessness that made Goldberg dangerous and a bad in ring worker. Lord Tensai is not careless with his opponents he hasn't injuried anyone. The gimmick itself needs to develope no doubt about it. But I personally enjoy watching him for one simple reason its not one of the same old faces I see week in and week out. Its a character I still really know nothing about and that mystery of what exactly his plans are, are what keeps me interested in him.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

We've only seen two matches of the actual Lord Tensai character. Honestly, I'm not that impressed. His entrance and persona are kinda cool but that's it.

I'm sure he'll keep having squash matches before feuding with another monster (Brodus Clay; that would be a hilarious feud. Talk about opposites). Other than that, I don't see much from him. No title run, no domination of RAW.

A year from now they'll be wishing him good luck in all his future endeavors.

 

[ultramattman]

Here's what I'd do with Tensai, if it keeps going badly and the 'Albert' chants continue:

Have him go 'real', publicly scrapping the Tensai character. Claim that he couldn't get respect in WWE before, proved himself by dominating in Japan, returned and STILL can't get respect. He gets saddled with an awful Shredder-like cartoon character, it was crap and the WWE universe knows it. So no more Tensai. No more Albert. I am Matt Bloom and I will dominate the WWE.

And he does. He continues to lay waste to jobbers and midcarders, still clamoring for respect and destroying everything in sight. He wants the only thing guaranteed to bring him the respect he deserves, the WWE title.

NOW you've got the stage set for an engaging feud with CM Punk.

 

[HBsam31]

There's been a lot of speculation around Lord Tensai, and a lot of people are thinking that he's a future world champion, and I honestly think otherwise.

Let me start by saying, his ring skills are really not even average. He's slow and stiff in the ring, and there's really nothing special about him. I could see him possibly getting a mid card title run but I honestly don't even see that coming.

I honestly just can't see his gimmick getting over with the fans. The crowd is dead while his matches are on, and I can't really see him going anywhere near the world title picture anytime at all.

Is anyone else with me here?

I totally agree with you here. I have never seen him as more than a below average big man. I just never cared for him, not in any of his previous gimmicks. I agree that this gimmick with not get over with the fans either. It almost sounds like an empty arena during his matches, and when you do hear noise it is an Albert chant. Honestly I never saw why they brought him back in the first place. Maybe he will prove me wrong as time passes, and honestly I hope he does, but i am just not thinking it will happen.

 

[Aeon Mathix]

I haven't enjoyed him much. Sure people say how awesome he was in Japan or whatever, but everyone has to understand New Japan Pro Wrestling and any other company have completely different styles than the WWE. Being awesome somewhere else doesn't necessarily mean you will be awesome in the WWE. I read Jericho's book "Undisputed" and he talked about how he basically had to relearn everything when he started in WWE, despite wrestling in almost every place imaginable in the world.

Lord Tensai hasn't impressed me much, but he hasn't had a real match yet. I don't like these squashes these new big monsters are just getting thrown into. It gives them nothing for character development and don't mean anything unless they beat a big name or have a good match for them for that matter. WWE needs to stop thinking that just because a guy is big, doesn't mean that they are good.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It's far too soon, in my opinion, to make any sort of realistic guesses as to what the future holds for this guy. He's only had a couple of squash matches thus far, so there hasn't really been an opportunity to see what he can do. The idea of squash matches is for a guy to look dominant against "scrub" opponents that will mount little to no offense. The true test of what Tensai is able to bring in terms of wrestling ability, storytelling, etc. will be when he's in there in a "real match" against someone that he's not going to physically decimate in 2 minutes.

As for his character, it's interesting to see that WWE went a different route in putting a Westerner into this distinctly Asian role. The big, bad Asian monster gimmick is one we've seen a lot of over the past 40 years especially from Killer Khan to Yokozuna. The idea of using "Albert's" history & success as a wrestler in Japan and as a non-Asian wrestler that's embraced some of the old traditions of the Japanese culture is unique. Without the internet, we wouldn't have known that Tensai was "Albert" and we'd have been genuinely surprised to see "Albert" under the mask & robe instead of someone of Asian descent.

At the same time, however, there are aspects of the gimmick that are certainly dated. The Japanese man-servant, the silent "Asian" monster that doesn't say a word, the robe & mask he wears coming out to the ring, the "green mist" that he's used post match, etc. It's true that it doesn't come off as very exciting overall but, for me, I'm gonna give it some time before I really embrace it or not.

 

[mholly32]

Not hoping for a title run unless for WHC not WWE championship. Just wanting to see if creative feud tensai and punk or tensai and bryan. I cant see them doing otherwise, unless an orton feud is possible

 

[keith hall]

Tensai would look great as an intercontintal title run and since they want him to be someone who just squashes opponents put him in line for an Umaga(RIP) like push and let big johny use him like Vince did against DX...just against Cena, punk, and Sheamus...

basically let him dominate the roster...Then let Big show lose the title to Kofi or something and let Tensai feud with that cruiserwight in need of a push who eventually gets the better of him like they did with Jeff an Umaga...It is the best way to push him...

 

[rerun406]

okay so Tensai beats Cena after spraying green mist into his face followed by a choke bomb/derailer

thoughts on the match?

"Without the internet, we wouldn't have known that Tensai was "Albert" "

I dunno I tend to disagree, a 6'8 massive bald guy is pretty distinctive. I mean minus the back hair different ring attire, and a couple tribal tattoos Tensai is pretty easy to distinguish as Albert .. he even kept the facial piercings

**maybe if Tensai wore the mask in ring it would be a bit harder to tell who he was ... the internet might have leaked out Tensai being Albert early, but pretty sure people would have known once they got a glimpse

 

[Tired0FthePeople]

Honestly, Id like to know where people think Tensai goes from here. After going over Cena....who does he face next? You cant have him face jobbers any more at this point. Y2J is in a program with Punk so you cant have Tensai in a program with the champ. Who does Tensai face now? You cant even KEEP in a program with Cena because he's going to be working with Brock for at least 6 months now.

 

[PowerHouse]

Tensai goes whereever Vince wants him to go!!! Who knows how long Cena and Brocks fued will last I dont think 6 months at least is a def though. I say 2 or 3 PPV's befor they both move on.Alot of you fail to realize Tensai and Brock have a little history of their own. I dont think it is beyond the realm of possibility that Tensai and Brock go face to face at some point. Everyone thinks Lesnar is going to be in this LONG drawn out Fued with Cena I dont think so. I think the WWE is going to pit Brock against as many of their Top stars as possible. Even The Rock mentioned Brock as a possible opponent.

 

[The Eighties]

It's far too soon, in my opinion, to make any sort of realistic guesses as to what the future holds for this guy. He's only had a couple of squash matches thus far, so there hasn't really been an opportunity to see what he can do. The idea of squash matches is for a guy to look dominant against "scrub" opponents that will mount little to no offense. The true test of what Tensai is able to bring in terms of wrestling ability, storytelling, etc. will be when he's in there in a "real match" against someone that he's not going to physically decimate in 2 minutes.

As for his character, it's interesting to see that WWE went a different route in putting a Westerner into this distinctly Asian role. The big, bad Asian monster gimmick is one we've seen a lot of over the past 40 years especially from Killer Khan to Yokozuna. The idea of using "Albert's" history & success as a wrestler in Japan and as a non-Asian wrestler that's embraced some of the old traditions of the Japanese culture is unique. Without the internet, we wouldn't have known that Tensai was "Albert" and we'd have been genuinely surprised to see "Albert" under the mask & robe instead of someone of Asian descent.

At the same time, however, there are aspects of the gimmick that are certainly dated. The Japanese man-servant, the silent "Asian" monster that doesn't say a word, the robe & mask he wears coming out to the ring, the "green mist" that he's used post match, etc. It's true that it doesn't come off as very exciting overall but, for me, I'm gonna give it some time before I really embrace it or not.

I agree with this, it is very early to be making conclusions and I personally love the oldschool gimmick, but so far the crowd response has varied from dead to mockery.

I think a big problem is that nothing he does looks devastating, take Ryback for example, that lariat he does looks like it could take a guys head off and instantly makes him not only look monstrous in size but also in deed.