Report: WWE Interested In Another Top Japanese Star?

[Jack-Hammer]

According to the WON, there's talk that WWE officials are interested in signing another top wrestler from Japan. The story comes fresh of the heels of NJPW star Prince Devitt signing with WWE, though Devitt's Irish, and with weeks of rumors that Pro Wrestling Noah star Kenta Kobayashi is interested in signing.

The report alleges that some in WWE are interested in signing Kota Ibushi to a contract. Kota Ibushi is considered by some to be the best high flying wrestler in the business today. At least, Dave Meltzer thinks so as Ibushi's been named Best Flying Wrestler by the WON the past 4 years in a row. Last year, he became the first Japanese wrestler to sign a dual contract. He currently makes regular appearances for Dramatic Dream Team and works big shows for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Incidentally, Prince Devitt dropped the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Kota Ibushi On January 4, 2014, with Ibushi currently on his 3rd run with the title.

 

[waylon p]

Right now, I only watch raw for three reasons. Bray Wyatt (love him, but a bit concerned that the gimmick is working. It scares me that people are responding so positively,) Cesaro, and Seth Rollins. Adding Kenta would be a big plus for me, though. I create him in every wrestling game I play, something made easier since CM Punk stole one of his finishers.

WWE and Kenta himself could only gain from getting together, and I think the fans would get the most out of the deal, especially myself.

Kota would also bring a lot to the company. He could fill the slot once so nicely occupied by Rey Mystero Jr. Moreover, I feel that in order to expand, Vince simply must embrace a more international sensibility than he has in the past. The jingoistic tokenism of the eighties will not serve the company well in this century; growth can only come in the international arena, as he has already destroyed his competition here in the states.

Y'know what? I think I just convinced myself that I do not want WWE to sign Kenta or Kota. I hope Vince never embraces the world's diversity. I would hate for him to do to the international wrestling scene what he has done here domestically.

 

[OYDK]

I just fear the fans are going to shit all over these great talents as has been done so many times in the past and WWE will strictly use these guys as jobbers or simple spot monkeys. It seems that WWE signs these guys and than realize "Oh shit, this guy can barely speak English" and than decide they can only go so far with this wrestler before burying him in the mid or lower card (Sin Cara, Ultimo Dragon, Tajiri, etc.)... If you're going to sign these guys and take them away from the homeland than they should probably think about all factors instead of just, "This guy can really wrestle".

 

[Bone For Tuna]

Hey Jack-Hammer, I noticed you did this before but I just thought I would point out that WWE is interested in a wrestler that goes by the name "KENTA" and not "Kenta Kobashi". They are in fact two different people. KENTA is a lot younger and had some awesome matches with Daniel Bryan and Low Ki back in the day in ROH, Kobashi on the other hand has had oodles of great matches including a classic and I believe it was rated 5 stars, match with Samoa Joe also in ROH quite a few years ago.

KENTA:

Kenta Kobashi:

Anyways, when it comes to Ibushi he is simply OK in my opinion. He's not my favorite, I mean he's good but some of his offense comes off a little phony to me. I don't know why, I've just always thought that. Here's a pretty cool clip of him and Generico though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDlh1dac-Y

 

[Tyrant25]

Hey Jack-Hammer, I noticed you did this before but I just thought I would point out that WWE is interested in a wrestler that goes by the name "KENTA" and not "Kenta Kobashi". They are in fact two different people. KENTA is a lot younger and had some awesome matches with Daniel Bryan and Low Ki back in the day in ROH, Kobashi on the other hand has had oodles of great matches including a classic and I believe it was rated 5 stars, match with Samoa Joe also in ROH quite a few years ago.

KENTA:

Kenta Kobashi:

Anyways, when it comes to Ibushi he is simply OK in my opinion. He's not my favorite, I mean he's good but some of his offense comes off a little phony to me. I don't know why, I've just always thought that. Here's a pretty cool clip of him and Generico though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDlh1dac-Y

He said "Kenta Kobayashi". Kenta Kobayashi and Kenta Kobashi are 2 different people (the 2 guys you posted pictures of). The names are very similar but Jack Hammer was right.

 

[Headman]

I keep seeing people jump Jack Hammer's case about saying Kobayashi thinking he said Kobashi. It's funny how people who are trying to sound smart about Puroresu don't even know KENTA's last name is Kobayashi.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

Hey Jack-Hammer, I noticed you did this before but I just thought I would point out that WWE is interested in a wrestler that goes by the name "KENTA" and not "Kenta Kobashi". They are in fact two different people. KENTA is a lot younger and had some awesome matches with Daniel Bryan and Low Ki back in the day in ROH, Kobashi on the other hand has had oodles of great matches including a classic and I believe it was rated 5 stars, match with Samoa Joe also in ROH quite a few years ago.

KENTA:

Kenta Kobashi:

Anyways, when it comes to Ibushi he is simply OK in my opinion. He's not my favorite, I mean he's good but some of his offense comes off a little phony to me. I don't know why, I've just always thought that. Here's a pretty cool clip of him and Generico though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDlh1dac-Y

Really?... if you're gonna call someone out and feign knowledge then at least type the damn name into google before you do... simply cut and pasting Kenta Kobyashi would have told to he is known as KENTA... I really get fed up of this shit sometimes...

As for the signings coming in they're nothing but positive. WWE has long needed more diversity in style and Japanese wrestlers are a major miss. KENTA is a good bet for a mid-card run as IC champ or as the lynchpin of a new Cruiser division or brand. As will Ibushi be a valuable addition there... With Devitt as well as the existing talent you have an amazing potential cruiser show...

KENTA, Devitt, Ibushi, Zayn, Neville, Bourne, Kidd, Sin Cara is as good a division as WCW had, add a few veterans in there too like Chavo or even Daniels or Styles for the odd shot and you have a great show on its own or a new division that can excite fans.

 

[Bone For Tuna]

Look, I wasn’t trying to be a dick or a know-it-all and I’m sorry if I came off like that and pissed some people off. I’ve read enough of Jack-Hammer’s posts to realize he’s one of the most knowledgeable posters here and almost always knows what he’s talking about. Honestly I’ll admit I didn’t bother to google “KENTA’s” real name, I just figured Jack-Hammer was posting his in ring name, had made a typo and actually I find it kind of amazing that these two names are so similar, what are the chances? Again, I apologize but having said that some people need to lighten up as well. I wouldn’t really say I called him out or started waving my dick around and thumping my chest because I thought I had one upped him or something when it comes to my knowledge of puro. For the record, I couldn’t really give a shit about it hence why I used ROH matches to try and explain who the two of them are. Anyways, in an effort to add to the thread somewhat, out of Ibushi, KENTA or Devitt I would say I’m probably looking forward to Devitt signing the most. I’ve watched some of his stuff recently, mostly because I try and keep up with what the Young Bucks are up to and Bullet Club seems pretty rad but Devitt definitely has the look and talent to be something in North America I would reckon. Never heard him on the microphone though and out of the three, I’m guessing they would probably expect him to talk a bit more than the other two. The other two are fine enough wrestlers for sure but I think it'll be interesting to see how they prosper when they have to play up a character a bit more and can't simply rely on their in ring skills to get the job done. Now if someone wants to take a turn and shit all over me and tell me that I'm an idiot and the two of them both ooze charisma and have great characters, I'm sorry, I don't speak Japanese.

 

[MayorMcCheese]

WWE has no idea how to use japanese talent, none. to them they are all jobbers

 

[Headman]

WWE has no idea how to use japanese talent, none. to them they are all jobbers

Well to be fair they typically don't speak much English and don't connect with American crowds. In a different time when there was more prejudice against the Japanese being an evil foreigner was enough. That's not the case anymore. There's no built in animosity towards these guys and it's hard to admire and cheer for someone who doesn't speak. There's also the difference in in-ring style and how juniors are viewed here. I think the Japanese star with the best chance to make it would have been Takeshi Morishima back when the WWE was looking at him. They weren't impressed with his body, but I think ROH had a winning formula with how to use Morishima that could have worked in the WWE as well. Unfortunately I don't see what the WWE wants with KENTA. Somebody probably lobbied pretty hard to get him looked at.

 

[Papa Pillman]

Honestly I’ll admit I didn’t bother to google “KENTA’s” real name, I just figured Jack-Hammer was posting his in ring name, had made a typo and actually I find it kind of amazing that these two names are so similar, what are the chances?

Actually, interestingly enough, Kobashi was KENTA's mentor and when KENTA started he originally used his own full name and the primary reason for him going to the stylized version of his first name that he has used the majority of career was specifically due to the fact of how similar their names sounded and the wish to avoid confusion between the two. Apparently even when being said and heard by native Japanese speakers, the names still can't avoid sounding quite similar to one another.

 

[Gibby]

There was some quote floating around recently that Ibushi's deal, where he works for NJPW & DDT simultaneously, was grinding his body down big time. One of his two contracts doesn't end for a little while and I know he's thought to be very loyal to DDT.

Ibushi is all upside potential for WWE and signing him would be a significant add. His flying/rolling stuff can appear a bit weak but just yesterday he turned in an absolute savage match with Ishii, battering him with hard kicks and a decent looking lariat. He's got a strong comedy track record (look up his match v YOSHI-HIKO) also takes a decent bump, as shown.