They're not doing it. Nor should they. I would be OK with them hotshotting Nakamura like this once he eventually goes up, though.
I was thinking almost the same thing. WWE wants to take over Japan, and they're positioning the Raw brand to do that. Finn Balor from what I understand is a multi-time NJPW champion, so if WWE puts the Universal Championship on Balor, they get name recognition pretty fast. It's hard to "convince" a new demographic if they're used to the same shit over and over - on that side of the world. So, even though that I think that this would be too fast, I think it's a marketing strategy to put Balor in the champioship picture, and winning it - then putting Nakamura against him? Then you have this cruiserweight division on the way...? You'll have an easy time to attract Japan.They're not doing it. Nor should they. I would be OK with them hotshotting Nakamura like this once he eventually goes up, though.
How big of a star Balor was in Japan is pretty over hyped. Balor was a junior heavyweight. That means shit in the greater New Japan picture. Granted he was the top junior and a focal point of the Bullet Club's first version. But Balor was never THE GUY in Japan.I was thinking almost the same thing. WWE wants to take over Japan, and they're positioning the Raw brand to do that. Finn Balor from what I understand is a multi-time NJPW champion, so if WWE puts the Universal Championship on Balor, they get name recognition pretty fast. It's hard to "convince" a new demographic if they're used to the same shit over and over - on that side of the world. So, even though that I think that this would be too fast, I think it's a marketing strategy to put Balor in the champioship picture, and winning it - then putting Nakamura against him? Then you have this cruiserweight division on the way...? You'll have an easy time to attract Japan.
You gotta understand this; Triple H signed a Japanese superstar, did a press conference over there, hell, even John Cena had to spend a season to memorize mandarin language to speak there. All of this takes time, money, and a lot of "sweet talking."
I've never heard of Balor, but he's on fire right now. I've seen a little bit of his work in NXT, but that's about it. I'm liking what I see in Balor. Good to see him moved into the main roster. Hopefully we see more of this awesome stuff.
Hunter does not decide who is the franchise tho. That's a Vince decision. And Vince is not as high on Balor as Hunter is. Also to note is that Rollins is the superior Triple H project compared to Balor. both in standing with the company and in both Hunter and Vince's eyes.You can't kill my dreams man! JK
I see a lot of very well thought out and logical posts as to why WWE wouldn't do that. I want to say that I totally get all of that, and I've considered that as well even before going all fangirl up there for this Universal Title shot at Summerslam. It's true, hotshotting like this is dangerous. (Combining the Wu-Tang and the Shaolin? Verrrrry daaangerous) It's high science in pro wrestling, the ethereal push and when it should or shouldn't happen. But dude you guys are also saying things that strengthens my belief in this. Let me rewind the clock on my thinking here to explain why I think it's happening.
I'll say as plainly as possible, Finn Balor IS Triple H's guy. He's his #1 guy. He's been protecting him and grooming him to be The NEXT guy. Finn, AJ, and The Club as a whole are the Kliq of the 21st century. They're going to run WWE. Nakamura is being groomed as the guy to come in and challenge Finn's iron grasp on the strap. Finn's push is going to be so meteoric, it will also in turn raise NXT's stock and the opportunities possible for those kids. All of these NXT call-ups right now are being showcased in one way or another. Finn's star though, it shines so bright.
I saw him and Nakamura in Portland. Well not vs each other, but I saw Finn vs Joe, and Nakamura vs Drifter. Balor is such a megastar. I mean I knew it was gonna be cool to see him and do the arm things and all that during the entrance, but I was mostly there for Nakamura I guess. Even my 6 year old son who had passed out from exhaustion woke up for Finn's entrance. That is nuts. He's got it. I have my Balor Club skully cap at home from the show. The hype is real.
Like 10% of the audience knew his schtick on Raw.... at Summerslam 100% of them will. Those are the smart fans who come in for those big shows. They're ready for Finn Balor, Universal Champion. Who wouldn't be?
And when you guys talk about kicking down doors in Japan? Shit, this is that! Not only that, he and Nakamura and AJ are bridging the gap between Japanese and American fans. The mainstream fans. They've been building toward this for a long time. They've been building inroads in Japan and China heavily the past two years. John Cena LEARNED MANDARIN. He is conversational in Mandarin Chinese right now. I bet Steph and Hunter are learning that Japanese like a mofo right now too. Jericho could be a good ambassador in that regard too.
I see how especially for younger fans who grew up during the awful years of like 2003-2009 WWE that you come by your cynicism honestly. I get that. Also the internet breeds this kind of idea that these things can't happen or they'd be bad ideas. For basically anyone else on the roster I'd say this kind of push is a bad idea. That's why only one guy can/should get it. It's a New Era. Rollins is their because we all know damn well he can win that match. Rollins and Balor will do things in that ring that will blow everyone's mind, they'll put on a fantastic show. Pedigrees and 1916's and somersault planchas and all that. Raw wants to be NEW and MUST SEE TV. The way to do that is to double down on Finn Balor. We've all seen Seth as champ VERY recently. He could win the title back later this year too. He could and should. That said, for my money it's Finn Balor all the way.
If it is Seth, that's fine too because I know he's going to heel it up like a maniac. I'm great with that, but I believe it will be Finn.
Shaddup Stopspot dreams do come trueIf we are using the Vince stereotypes Balor is about a foot and a half too short and 100 lbs too light to be a top star.
Gary Strydom he is not