possible Japanese wrestlers in future

[Neilslam]

hey all,

so the WWE is interested in Kazuicha Okada, but he isn't interested in them. therefore, I
have a few ideas who the WWE should go after as alternatives. this is based on matches
I have seen on Youtube. which would you say is the likliest candidate?

Hirohashi Tanashi
Hiroyoshi Tenzan-been in US before (WCW)
The Great Muta-been in US before (WCW, NWA, WCCW)
Togi Makabe
Toru Yano
Masahiro Chono-been in US before/technically American
Hiroki Goto

here we are. in descending order, which one/couple have the best chance of winding up
in the WWE?

 

[Jacob Fox]

I really don't know if any of them have any strong chance of ending up in WWE, but I tell you, I'd LOVE to see Toru Yano in the WWE. He'd actually fit in pretty good in my viewpoint. He's sort of done everything he can do in New Japan... I mean, it's not like his character really has range. He's not going to become IWGP Champion... at least not as long as the company has any semblance of sanity. I think he'd be interesting in WWE. Not really sure how likely it is though.

 

[Prince Bálor]

Shibata. Because I want to see Shibata vs Cesaro, Shibata vs Rollins, etc.

It ain't happening, though. Oh, well.

 

[Stopspot]

I'm going to run them through with reasons why they are unlikely.

Hiroshi Tanahashi - About as unlikely as Okada. Dude does not want to leave Japan and does not want to work for WWE. The biggest name in Japanese wrestling for the past decade.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan- 44 years old and approaching retirement, body breaking down.
The Great Muta- 54 years old and has problems walking due to his knees being held together with glue. Working a WWE style schedule would probably put the man in a wheelchair.
Togi Makabe - Same as Tenzan, 44 years old and his body is catching up with him.
Toru Yano - Doesn't give a fuck and doesn't want to wrestle full time. Successful business man outside of wrestling
Masahiro Chono-been in US before/technically American - Retired.
Hiroki Goto - Does not want to leave Japan and Vince would probably be unsuccessful in trying to sway him with money considering he is a shoot millionaire and heir to one of Japan's biggest tech companies.

Japanese wrestlers that are likely to get signed by WWE are most likely juniors/cruisers. Because that's where Vince sees their ceiling 9 times out of 10.

 

[Jacob Fox]

Shibata. Because I want to see Shibata vs Cesaro, Shibata vs Rollins, etc.

It ain't happening, though. Oh, well.

Shibata vs Lesnar was my first Shibata dream match in my head.

 

[Prince Bálor]

Shibata vs Lesnar was my first Shibata dream match in my head.

That'd be fantastic, as well.

 

[Neilslam]

I'm going to run them through with reasons why they are unlikely.

Hiroshi Tanahashi - About as unlikely as Okada. Dude does not want to leave Japan and does not want to work for WWE. The biggest name in Japanese wrestling for the past decade.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan- 44 years old and approaching retirement, body breaking down.
The Great Muta- 54 years old and has problems walking due to his knees being held together with glue. Working a WWE style schedule would probably put the man in a wheelchair.
Togi Makabe - Same as Tenzan, 44 years old and his body is catching up with him.
Toru Yano - Doesn't give a fuck and doesn't want to wrestle full time. Successful business man outside of wrestling
Masahiro Chono-been in US before/technically American - Retired.
Hiroki Goto - Does not want to leave Japan and Vince would probably be unsuccessful in trying to sway him with money considering he is a shoot millionaire and heir to one of Japan's biggest tech companies.

Japanese wrestlers that are likely to get signed by WWE are most likely juniors/cruisers. Because that's where Vince sees their ceiling 9 times out of 10.

well, given the clips I've seen are from 2004-10 or so, the most recent being 2014-5, the fact that Chono is retired and Tenzan is
nearing retirement doesn't surprise me. in fact, WIKIPEIDA said that the 2016 G-1 CLIMAX or whatever would be Tenzan's last.
as for Makabe, apparently he doesn't sell anything ergo, he's always injured. I'm surprised Muta's still wrestling. I remember when
he started in World Class Championship Wrestling and that was in 1982-4. that's 30 years ago. my fantasy dream card had John
Cena vs Chono in a "Battle of the STFs" and Kevin Owens against Toru Yano in "Battle of the Douchebags" (wink) oh well.

 

[Stopspot]

well, given the clips I've seen are from 2004-10 or so, the most recent being 2014-5, the fact that Chono is retired and Tenzan is
nearing retirement doesn't surprise me. in fact, WIKIPEIDA said that the 2016 G-1 CLIMAX or whatever would be Tenzan's last.
as for Makabe, apparently he doesn't sell anything ergo, he's always injured. I'm surprised Muta's still wrestling. I remember when
he started in World Class Championship Wrestling and that was in 1982-4. that's 30 years ago. my fantasy dream card had John
Cena vs Chono in a "Battle of the STFs" and Kevin Owens against Toru Yano in "Battle of the Douchebags" (wink) oh well.

Makabe doesn't sell because he is injured. He just refuses to sell because he is a bit of a dick.

Mutoh wrestles approximately 5 matches per year and does the bare minimum.

 

[Neilslam]

Makabe doesn't sell because he is injured. He just refuses to sell because he is a bit of a dick.

Mutoh wrestles approximately 5 matches per year and does the bare minimum.

so I guess he's Japan's answer to the Undertaker. there's your once a year SUMMERSLAM match
UNDERTAKER vs THE GREAT MUTA. Last Ride and Tombstone vs Fireball and Green Mist. (wink)

 

[Stopspot]

so I guess he's Japan's answer to the Undertaker. there's your once a year SUMMERSLAM match
UNDERTAKER vs THE GREAT MUTA. Last Ride and Tombstone vs Fireball and Green Mist. (wink)

Nah. He's the Japanese version of a bad businessman

 

[Jacob Fox]

Makabe doesn't sell because he is injured. He just refuses to sell because he is a bit of a dick.

.

This is my favorite wrestling quote of the year.

 

[Stopspot]

This is my favorite wrestling quote of the year.

Sweets Makabe. Love interest of all housewives. King of backroom politics

 

[Neilslam]

I was thinking, for the ladies, how about Aja Kong or Io Shirai? maybe Hiroyo Matsumoto or
Hikaru Shida as well. I saw online that Shida got a tryout and she has beat Asuka a number
of times. I saw a clip of Asuka and Matsumoto. Asuka gave her a nice stinkface but it wound
up being a draw. I say Io Shirai because I think sister Mio is retired and now refing.

 

[Stopspot]

I was thinking, for the ladies, how about Aja Kong or Io Shirai? maybe Hiroyo Matsumoto or
Hikaru Shida as well. I saw online that Shida got a tryout and she has beat Asuka a number
of times. I saw a clip of Asuka and Matsumoto. Asuka gave her a nice stinkface but it wound
up being a draw. I say Io Shirai because I think sister Mio is retired and now refing.

Oh lets not even talk about the women. Womens wrestling politics in Japan are a absolute nightmare.

 

[Neilslam]

I'm going to run them through with reasons why they are unlikely.

Hiroshi Tanahashi - About as unlikely as Okada. Dude does not want to leave Japan and does not want to work for WWE. The biggest name in Japanese wrestling for the past decade.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan- 44 years old and approaching retirement, body breaking down.
The Great Muta- 54 years old and has problems walking due to his knees being held together with glue. Working a WWE style schedule would probably put the man in a wheelchair.
Togi Makabe - Same as Tenzan, 44 years old and his body is catching up with him.
Toru Yano - Doesn't give a fuck and doesn't want to wrestle full time. Successful business man outside of wrestling
Masahiro Chono-been in US before/technically American - Retired.
Hiroki Goto - Does not want to leave Japan and Vince would probably be unsuccessful in trying to sway him with money considering he is a shoot millionaire and heir to one of Japan's biggest tech companies.

Japanese wrestlers that are likely to get signed by WWE are most likely juniors/cruisers. Because that's where Vince sees their ceiling 9 times out of 10.

I was just watching NEW JAPAN last week and it was a repeat of the 2016 G1 tournament. appearantly, a couple of knocks are he isn't always motivated and
he supposedly chokes in "the big game".