Possible Reason Why Yoshi Won the WM 26 Battle Royal

[The Small Show]

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

- Japanese stars Gedo, Jado and KENTA were all at wrestlemania 26 weekend for the Antonio Inoki Hall of Fame induction. Inoki did a lot of photo ops for the Japanese media, including congratulating RAW's Yoshi Tatsu on winning the pre-show battle royal.

There was already some Japanese media in town because Major League Baseball star Hideki Matsui is playing pre-season baseball there. This helped out with the coverage from Japan on Inoki's induction. Part of the reason why Inoki was chosen for this year's Hall is because of the exposure WWE would be getting in Japan. The media took photos of Inoki with Vince McMahon, where Vince thanked Inoki for the friendship with Vince Sr.

With WWE aiming for maximum exposure in Japan, that could very well be part of the reason why Yoshi Tatsu won the WrestleMania pre-show battle royal.

 

[MizMasta3000]

KENTA!!!! FTW

 

[Kizza]

If they want to connect with the Japanese audience, why not sign a Jap wrestler who wasn't a jobber in the first place?

 

[MizMasta3000]

^I choose KENTA

 

[Kizza]

I'd enjoy Tanahashi appearing on WWE television.

 

[JurassicBonez]

Maybe they could legitimatly push a jap person. They could have followed up Yoshi's win at Mania, even if it was on the pre-show.

 

[THE Brian Kendrick's Biceps]

I'd enjoy Tanahashi appearing on WWE television.

Only if it matches his TNA run. :shifty:

 

[gatesoftanhauser]

Tatsu isn't that bad. I'd like to see him get a push. He's more exciting than "Sir Smiles A Lot" Kofi Kingston that's for sure

 

[Charismatic Edge]

I've never known WWE to put emphasis on any Asian or Asian type character. Only Hakushi in 1995 comes to mind. I think Yoshi vs. Miz over the US title would be great to see.

 

[Kizza]

Only if it matches his TNA run. :shifty:

I've been trying to push that horrible mistreatment of the hottest Japanese star at the time out of my mind.

 

[JurassicBonez]

Who was he in TNA?

 

[Kizza]

Hiroshi Tanahashi.

He teamed with Volador Jr in 08, in a match against MCMG and the 4 way ladder match they had. He also lost to AJ Styles in 06. He was also in the X Division seeding match, but left after he had to defend his IWGP title against Mutoh.

 

[sharkboy 3:16]

I'd much rather then bring Kaval/Low Ki up and give him a huge push since he's so awesome, Yoshi's not bad but there are so many other/better Japanese wrestlers that could be used.

 

[Hometown Kid]

KENTA's too small and too stiff for WWE, Tanahashi could work though, there's a few guys who could make it if they came over and are definitely 100x better than Yoshi.

KENTA always goes to 'Mania anyway, whenever he's in the US he goes to a lot of big events like that.

 

[Double J]

I'd much rather then bring Kaval/Low Ki up and give him a huge push since he's so awesome, Yoshi's not bad but there are so many other/better Japanese wrestlers that could be used.

You know Low Ki/Senshi/Kaval isn't Japanese right?


As far as bringing in these other big named guys, I'm not sure about Japanese wrestling (never followed but just know some of their 'major league' guys), but isn't somewhat like how wrestling is in Mexico where it's taken more seriously? I would think it'd be harder to get well respected Jap wrestlers to come to the WWE over the Jap Jobbers (Yoshi) due to respect and different views on wrestling. But then again throw enough money at someone and they don't need respect.