Japanese Talent You’re Surprised NJPW Never Signed

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

Was just thinking about the upcoming AEW and if NJPW will see any reason to start locking guys down. In turn that made me think about all the talent they have had over the years. But some great Japanese talents have for whatever reason only appeared very briefly in the promotion or not at all.

Some that come to mind...

Kento Miyahara
Suwama
Kenta Kobayashi
Kenta Kobashi
Toshiaki Kawada
Akira Taue
Mitsuharu Misawa

Looking at those last for I’m kind of surprised NJPW never brought in any of the Four Pillars of Heaven for more extended rubs. Sure, they had some matches in NJPW, but they always wrestled in either AJPW or NOAH more. I think it speaks to the more pronounced company loyalty present in Japan compared to the US.

[AwamoriRock]

I’m not surprised by too many. One by the loyalty aspect (and contract situations) you mentioned but also that the promotions they wrestle for, in good times and bad, have fans that enjoy seeing them specifically in those promotions.

On the flip aspect I’m more surprised that Shingo went to them instead of free lance.

I’d kinda hate to see Miyahara, Suwama, Ishikawa, Nakajima, etc. in NJPW for more than a tour because they have enough trouble handling the booking of their roster and hands full giving them stuff to do already. I totally know you didn’t mean it this way so don’t worry but I see a lot of “so and so should go to NJPW” and it’s just such a downer way to think of it when people could just support those promotions. I think some fans just want it to be their one stop JP wrestling Netflix lol

I really want them to use their talent as much as possible for G1 but Sekimoto or Ishikawa for G1 would be fun

[Fundertaker]

You do know that they didn't sign those guys because they were signed elsewhere, right? Cause that's how things role in Japan, most everybody has a contract with a company, it's not exclusive to New Japan. And jumping ship is usually a big no-no (unless it's to form a new company, that usually goes over better, if unspectacularly). And as you said, company loyalty. It's not like the US where you go where the money goes and that's it. Sure money is a factor, but moreso is thanking and helping the company that trained you and made you someone. And if you become a main-eventer like all of those names even more so.

[sfvega]

Yokozuna

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Jan 3, 2019 8:57:51 GMT -5 sfvega said:

Yokozuna

Joke killer here, but he actually did work there from 88-92.

[sfvega]

Jan 3, 2019 9:05:27 GMT -5 2coldMack is even more baffled said:

Jan 3, 2019 8:57:51 GMT -5 sfvega said:

Yokozuna

Joke killer here, but he actually did work there from 88-92.

Well then, you learn something new every day.

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

The All Japan contingent had no reason to leave and jump to New Japan.

Giant Baba was one of the few honest promoters and his wrestlers loved him. They had no reason to join New Japan and get their asses handed out to them in mma matches.