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Post by Andrew is Good on Jan 6, 2013 15:26:32 GMT -5
He's listed as 6'3 240 pounds on Wikipedia. And he's just 25. That's something WWE should look into as well. They need guys younger like that. They're on the right track with bringing in the Shield, who are all young guys (I think Seth Rollins is a month younger or older then me). Plus, Okada already has that main event, money drawing experience, he's going to be a huge aspect. That, and if WWE uses him right and lets him actually speak english, they really could have something big on their hands, especially when they want to travel back to Japan for tours. Another positive is NJPW is so hot right now it seems, that even losing Okada won't be THAT big of a blow, because they're really stacked when it comes to talent. It's not like in WWE, where if their number 2 guy left, they'd be f***ed.
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Post by SassovsHart on Jan 6, 2013 15:58:39 GMT -5
Yoshi wasn't that big in New Japan, he kind of got over when he and Hiroshi Tanahashi as the New Japan Dragons, but nothing that big. I remember when he signed a lot of Japan fan were like "really?", and a few Japanese wrestlers didn't speak highly of him as a person (mostly the Joshi women) He was quite creepy according to Hamada (I think?) IIRC, the Hamada story was a fake, attributed to an interview in a newspaper that doesn't actually exist.
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Post by Crusty Ruffles on Jan 6, 2013 16:19:12 GMT -5
He was quite creepy according to Hamada (I think?) IIRC, the Hamada story was a fake, attributed to an interview in a newspaper that doesn't actually exist. Ding ding ding. I heard this rumor last week and kind of blew it off. Now that he did lose at Wrestle Kingdom, it makes me think there might be something to this. Long term, I think there's way more for Okada in Japan than in the WWE. I have zero faith in them to do ANYTHING worthwhile with him. If he signs, hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.
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Post by joebob27 on Jan 6, 2013 16:38:52 GMT -5
Well, Albert needs a partner when his personality breaks out and he becomes a JPop Star.
The sad thing is... that booking would be better than whatever they're likely to come up with.
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Crappler El 0 M
Dalek
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Posts: 58,479
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Post by Crappler El 0 M on Jan 6, 2013 16:41:35 GMT -5
I'd stay in NJPW. Sure, there's a chance he could make it in WWE, but the history of pushing Asian wrestlers is mixed to put it politely.
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CH Punk
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Post by CH Punk on Jan 6, 2013 16:57:28 GMT -5
When Yoshi was first brought in he was booked pretty strong and actually was getting over on ECW. Then they had him do nothing. Such a shame Hell, he won at Wrestlemania right after ECW ended, granted it was a pre-show match, but, still, he won at Wrestlemania. As for Okada, his English skills are going to be make or break for him if he does make the jump to WWE.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2013 17:02:48 GMT -5
I'm actually pretty excited about this news. I've been looking for the E to bring in a Japanese guy that actually had star potential. Okada has that.
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Toates Madhackrviper
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This avatar is so far out of date I might as well stick with it forever now.
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Post by Toates Madhackrviper on Jan 6, 2013 17:06:44 GMT -5
Didn't he suck when he was in TNA? Thats what I remember hearing? Never actually saw him work while he was there. Sounds like he's improved since he went home though?
I'd sure like it though if they signed a big Japanese star and booked him credible right out the gate. Maybe even treating him like a foreign star and acknowledging his past and treating him like an acquisition.
Still I'd rather they had just signed Tanahashi himself for that though.
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Post by Mayonnaise on Jan 6, 2013 17:12:49 GMT -5
Didn't he suck when he was in TNA? Thats what I remember hearing? Never actually saw him work while he was there. Sounds like he's improved since he went home though? I'd sure like it though if they signed a big Japanese star and booked him credible right out the gate. Maybe even treating him like a foreign star and acknowledging his past and treating him like an acquisition. Still I'd rather they had just signed Tanahashi himself for that though. I don't think he sucked (don't get wrong, he wasn't great which is part of the reason he came over) but he was never used. His two best runs in TNA were as a Kato type for Joe that got beat up constantly and a run as Suicide.
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Rave
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Post by Rave on Jan 6, 2013 17:16:30 GMT -5
Didn't he suck when he was in TNA? Thats what I remember hearing? Never actually saw him work while he was there. Sounds like he's improved since he went home though? I'd sure like it though if they signed a big Japanese star and booked him credible right out the gate. Maybe even treating him like a foreign star and acknowledging his past and treating him like an acquisition. Still I'd rather they had just signed Tanahashi himself for that though. I don't think he sucked (don't get wrong, he wasn't great which is part of the reason he came over) but he was never used. His two best runs in TNA were as a Kato type for Joe that got beat up constantly and a run as Suicide. He wasn't Suicide, that was Kiyoshi.
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Post by Mayonnaise on Jan 6, 2013 17:20:41 GMT -5
I don't think he sucked (don't get wrong, he wasn't great which is part of the reason he came over) but he was never used. His two best runs in TNA were as a Kato type for Joe that got beat up constantly and a run as Suicide. He wasn't Suicide, that was Kiyoshi. Damn, he did less than shit. And I forgot Kiyoshi was even a thing in TNA. People want to talk about how WWE treats foreign wrestlers...
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Post by Wolf Hurricane on Jan 6, 2013 17:26:14 GMT -5
he'd be a good acquisition, if they treat him seriously and don't make him a joke. they should do with him what they did with Cesaro, basically bring him in as-is and don't change a thing about his character (though they'll probably give him a different name). I don't want to sound bitter and cynical or say the WWE top brass are prejudiced, but if Okada goes to the WWE, his character is going to be: **A. Someone like Yoshi Tatsu, in a "I Japanese, I so Whacky! Hee hee hee!", guy. or **B. Someone in face paint and karate pants who sprays mists, does Hollywood karate moves and is the "Great SomethingOrAnother". What about Jimmy Yang? He was neither: First he was a mafia guy, then he was a hillbilly, but he was never A or B.
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mrjl
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Post by mrjl on Jan 6, 2013 17:29:39 GMT -5
for the people saying there's more for him in Japan, you do know he could sign a relatively short contract and then go back if things don't go right.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Jan 6, 2013 17:42:43 GMT -5
I don't want to sound bitter and cynical or say the WWE top brass are prejudiced, but if Okada goes to the WWE, his character is going to be: **A. Someone like Yoshi Tatsu, in a "I Japanese, I so Whacky! Hee hee hee!", guy. or **B. Someone in face paint and karate pants who sprays mists, does Hollywood karate moves and is the "Great SomethingOrAnother". What about Jimmy Yang? He was neither: First he was a mafia guy, then he was a hillbilly, but he was never A or B. he was also not Japanese
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Post by Wolf Hurricane on Jan 6, 2013 17:45:00 GMT -5
What about Jimmy Yang? He was neither: First he was a mafia guy, then he was a hillbilly, but he was never A or B. he was also not Japanese He was as Akio.
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Allie Kitsune
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Jan 7, 2013 11:08:13 GMT -5
Okada's NXT name :
Harry Hibachi.
(That's Racist!)
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Post by mattyc on Jan 7, 2013 12:38:05 GMT -5
I like Okada but i'm fearful for him if he's WWE bound.
Could he have a good run in the WWE? Sure, if he's to be given the right attention and push, this is a huge IF though with WWE's track record when it comes to using Japanese talent correctly.
I'd stay in NJPW if I was him, he's already a main player and I don't think he's close to peaking yet, He could easily be the main man of NJPW or at least one of them for the next 5 to 10 years, maybe even longer if he stays healthy.
I hope he does not throw that away on the risky gamble that the WWE will use him correctly.
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Brood Lone Wolf Funker
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Post by Brood Lone Wolf Funker on Jan 7, 2013 13:10:45 GMT -5
Okada's NXT name : Harry Hibachi. (That's Racist!) No his NXT name would be Sonny Ono
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Post by ________ has left the building on Jan 7, 2013 14:04:34 GMT -5
For all those who are saying WWE will ruin him and won't treat him like a star, remember this: before he went back to Japan to make it rain, his biggest role in TNA was playing a Kato knockoff and being the sidekick to Samoa Joe. He just did kung fu moves and get kidnapped & tortured by the Pope. If he does go to WWE and bomb, he can still go back and reclaim his spot.
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Post by molson5 on Jan 7, 2013 19:30:55 GMT -5
for the people saying there's more for him in Japan, you do know he could sign a relatively short contract and then go back if things don't go right. They also really don't know that "there's more for him in Japan." He might want to make some cash, he might want to live in the U.S. again, he may not be fond of the working environment there, he might want to work shorter matches. It's a pretty big career move and people are assume that 100% of the decision process is how high up on the card he'll be. He might not care about that at all.
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