Masato Yoshino or Kota Ibushi?

[Wrestlingfan100]

with the signing of KENTA and Prince Devitt( who I know is Irish), which Japanese star would you rather see in WWE but first of all NXT.

This is Masato Yoshino, with the reputation as the fastest wrestler ever, Seth Rollins, JTG, Paige, Bryan have all used some his moves

like Low Ki/Kaval he is 5ft8 but with his build he looks extremely smaller and he's 163 pounds, he's a 14 year veteran,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Wr7AC8WWw

this is Kota Ibushi, 5 ft 11, 190 very lanky, 10 year veteran

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAPKVMuzfAY

WWE has been very picky with smaller guys but if they really are interested in the Japanese wrestling market, these two are great steals. Kota is already used to comedy in the DDT promotion( look up his match with the blow up doll, multiple front flip pile drivers.) While Yoshino is a bit more serious.

If you had to personally choose, who would you prefer

 

[Tyrant25]

Yoshino is the better wrestler and WWE could probably get more out of him. Ibushi comes off, to me, as an Evan Bourne kind of character - fantastic wrestler, a bunch of aerial moves, but a lack of personality. Yoshino worked a few dates for TNA a few years ago and could be a great heel in a Japanese tag team. I'm actually a bit excited at the thought of a Kenta/Yoshino heel tag team.

 

[LiarsDice]

Weren't WWE already looking at Ibushi, or was that just a rumor?

Personally, I think Kota Ibushi would be the better fit out of the two. Like you said, he is part of the DDT company which is as close to American Pro Wrestling as you are going to get within Japan, so he is at least familiar with the more Soap Opera/Comedy style.
He is also a great wrestler. I get your Evan Bourne comparison, but I think its a little vague. Evan Bourne/Matt Sydal is a great wrestler that was put into the Air Bourne-type role of constant high fliying by WWE. Not that he isnt a high flier elsewhere, but he also did a lot of High Impact mat stuff.
Kota is the same. His sit out turning power bomb is one of the best looking moves out there. And he fills a slot left by John Morrison that wasnt filled.
Also, he is much bigger than Yoshino, and younger. I think he could pack another 10-15 pounds of muscle on and match up well with the likes of Bryan, Rollins, Ambrose etc.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

If either of them is able to speak English, that'd be a major plus. In terms of star power, it's probably a toss up. Yoshino has been a big star in Dragon Gate for about 10 years or so and has had success in Pro Wrestling Noah and in Ultimo Dragon's Toryumon promotion. Ibushi has been a big star in Dramatic Dream Team for about 8 years now and he's also been a big star in New Japan Pro Wrestling since about 2010.

Yoshino's held just about every title in Dragon Gate at least once, same for Ibushi in DDT. Yoshino's also held the NWA World Welterweight Championship in Toryumon and GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in Noah. Ibushi's been IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion 3 times, the last reign ended January 4th of this year, he's been IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion once and won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in 2011.

Both guys also have experience working in American promotions. Yoshino was part of Team Japan back in 2008 during the World X Cup tournament and Ibushi spent most of 2008-early 2010 wrestling for Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerilla and Evolve.

In terms of size, Ibushi has a pretty good edge of Yoshino as he's right at about 6'0" and 200 pounds, give or take a few inches and pounds, where as Yoshino is about 5'8" and 160 pounds and Ibushi is 2 years younger at 32. Yoshino has been around longer, he made his debut in September 2000and Ibushi celebrated 10 years in the business early this month. However, both guys are long time veterans of the business.

If WWE is genuinely interested in expanding to Japan, then Vince is going to have to accept the simple fact that most of the biggest stars in Japanese wrestling are well below 6'0" and 200 pounds. It's become a trend slowly over the past 10 years or so in America that smaller guys are the ones who're drawing because tastes have been changing. More and more fans are wanting faster paced, high energy matches and it's simple math that can show a 5'10" 195 pound man is more than likely capable of delivering that easier than a guy that's 6'5" 275 pounds.

 

[J.D Lethal]

As much as i would want Kota in the WWE i know that his move set will be limited. Masato seems like his style would fit more in the WWE or at least in the direction they seem like they are heading. there is no question that both of these men are good and with roster the WWE has there are some good 4-5 star matches that could happen in that IC/US mid card realm. For Kota i think staying in Japan winning his first Heavyweight title would be better for him or work ROH/TNA if he comes states side.

(side note:I'm happy Japanese wrestling is getting some talk now on the site.)