International wrestlers

[Abadebe]

I'm not on this board every day, so apologies if this has already been discussed.

It seems like the WWE is starting to present a more international flavour in their superstars, and it's a refreshing change.

We've got:
Khali from India
Kofi from Ghana
Kozlov from Russia
Regal and the Burchills from England
Finlay and Sheamus from Ireland
McIntyre from Scotland
Yoshi from Japan
Carlito from Puerto Rico
Santino from Italy
and I'm probably forgetting somebody.

Some of these guys are getting bigger pushes than others, but the point is that they're all on TV making names for themselves. What I like about this is that WWE seems to have finally moved past the foreign heel dynamic and has developed characters that are more than just silly stereotypes or "He's not from America? Booooooo!"

Not only do their nationalities make them stand out and become recognizable (rather than being basically interchangeable like Rhodes, Dibiase, Bourne, Swagger, Hawkins, etc.) but it can only help build international audiences.

They're trying to make a big deal about Sheamus being the first WWE champion from outside North America in 15 years. Something tells me we won't have to wait that long for it to happen again.

[Deleted]

Primo and Escobar get no love for PR?

[EJS]

Poor Primo...

Also Layla from England.
Ezekiel Jackson from Guyana.

And Santino doesn't so much count, really. They also lie about Kozlov, but he's still from that general part of the world either way.

[Jackson "The Cool" Carter]

It's great how you mention Carlito but forget all about Primo. Just like myself =P

And I guess you can say Rey and Chavo from Mexico? Atleast the former brings in huge numbers in the Hispanic demographic.

[MyndSkape: A Poor Man's Virgil]

Yeah, and somehow I think we have Shane McMahon to thank for this.

It's essentially a scaled down version of the regional expansion plan they had years ago. Now, instead of having a seperate European and Asian division, just recruit talent from different areas. You see it even in developmental, with Justin Angel from South Africa, Alberto Banderas from Mexico, and Aksana from... uhh, i forget right now. Even Wade Barrett from England is getting a chance at commentary.

Hopefully, they learned from that, IMO dumb move years back by changing Benoit and Jericho from being billed from Canada to Manhassett, NY and Atlanta, GA respectfully. I pretty sure that's where the Kofi and Big Zeke changes to their respective home countries came from.

[lovingway]

When did they change Zeke's country? I just noticed last week he was from Guyana

[sloride]

Britain and Ireland has a very large representation in the WWE at the moment and its great to see: Burchills, McIntyre, Sheamus, Finlay, Regal, Layla-its nice to see so many Brits!

[Big L]

we need more international stars n the E IMO

[Andrew is Good]

Sheamus is from Ireland.

Finlay is from Northern Ireland.

[noleafclover1980]

And I guess you can say Rey and Chavo from Mexico?

Both were actually born in the U.S. Chavo was born in El Paso, Rey in Chula Vista (part of San Diego county).

[Eunös ✈]

Not sure if his still in the Company or not But DJ Gabriel is also British

[Square]

Technically Kane is Spanish

[The Freakin' Deacon]

Tyson Kidd, DH Smith, Natalya, Edge, Christian, and Chris Jericho are all from Canada.

[kennerado]

Didnt Mr "double double eee" just become a US citizen?

[Mayonnaise]

Dec 26, 2009 19:17:31 GMT -5 Square said:

Technically Kane is Spanish

Not really. He was born in Spain but, on a US Military base so he is classified as American.

Dec 26, 2009 21:42:58 GMT -5 The Freakin' Deacon said:

Tyson Kidd, DH Smith, Natalya, Edge, Christian, and Chris Jericho are all from Canada.

Jericho was born in the US so he is American, I think DH and Nattie could be classified as Americans as well since their parents are American Citizens thanks to Helen being an American.

Dec 26, 2009 22:49:42 GMT -5 kennerado said:

Didnt Mr "double double eee" just become a US citizen?

Yup. He is/was Ukrainian though.


Also, WWE has Dos Caras Jr. and Incognito from Mexico under contract.

[The Freakin' Deacon]

So Jericho being born in America makes him American, but DH and Nattie being born in Canada doesn't make them Canadian?

I'm not to clear on how this works.

[Dub H]

Dec 26, 2009 23:44:11 GMT -5 The Freakin' Deacon said:

So Jericho being born in America makes him American, but DH and Nattie being born in Canada doesn't make them Canadian?

I'm not to clear on how this works.

Is because Canada is not even a real country!

[Mayonnaise]

Dec 26, 2009 23:44:11 GMT -5 The Freakin' Deacon said:

So Jericho being born in America makes him American, but DH and Nattie being born in Canada doesn't make them Canadian?

I'm not to clear on how this works.

I am just focusing on the legal side of it. I remember hearing Bret and his siblings are US citizens thanks to Helen so, if they are citizens, I'd think DH and Nattie would be as well.

Jericho was born in NY so he is American by birth.

All three would be Canadian as well, I am just saying we'd have a right to them as well.

[Mozenrath]

Dec 27, 2009 0:17:27 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

Dec 26, 2009 23:44:11 GMT -5 The Freakin' Deacon said:

So Jericho being born in America makes him American, but DH and Nattie being born in Canada doesn't make them Canadian?

I'm not to clear on how this works.

I am just focusing on the legal side of it. I remember hearing Bret and his siblings are US citizens thanks to Helen so, if they are citizens, I'd think DH and Nattie would be as well.

Jericho was born in NY so he is American by birth.

All three would be Canadian as well, I am just saying we'd have a right to them as well.

They can probably claim dual citizenship.

[fw91]

This thread, got me thinking that the WWE, should do some sort of international bowl. or series similar to what TNA did