I’ve been bemoaning that WWE hire
someone from Japan for a good while now and whilst its taken them what seems
like an age to do so, I’m pleased to finally say that once again Vince McMahon
has listened to his public. For those who don’t keep up to date with WWE and
only check in now and again, the company have signed Kenta Kobayashi who will
compete under the name Kenta and should add something completely different to
the company if they can see their way clear to not interfering with his ring
style, which is something which is both unlikely and has already transpired.
Now, I can’t spend ages on this blog
because I’m still busy writing up the Battleground 2014 preview which is taking
time thanks to the Intercontinental Championship battle royal, but those who
know Kenta and have seen him before will remember him from his stints with Pro
Wrestling Noah and Ring of Honor where, in the former, he reigned as GHC World
Heavyweight Champion. Something which will almost certainly not be recognized
when he reaches the main WWE roster; if he reaches the main WWE roster.
Against all advice, WWE have maddeningly
pushed Kenta into NXT where they’ll expect him to wrestle the WWE way. This is
a mistake. Kenta is an amazing talent who has years of experience. His high
flying technique and technical prowess have wowed audiences worldwide so what
is it about WWE that they believe Kenta doesn’t have it to be introduced
straight into main proceedings? It’s petty jealousy. Because Kenta can do an
array of things WWE stars can’t, the company want to strip him of what made him
a star around the world and force him to do things their way. The question we
have to ask ourselves is, do we really want a ‘normal’ Kenta when there are so
many wrestlers who fall under that category?
I for one have no interest in seeing a
Kenta who sticks to rules and fights how he’s told. Part of what made him special
on the independent circuit was his rebellious style to fly when he wanted. If he
can’t do that in WWE then he stands no chance of success. Though one has to
question how far he’ll get anyway. Looking at his background, it doesn’t look
promising for Kenta. He comes from an independent background which goes against
him to begin with. His ring style is different which is another strike against
him and then there’s the history of wasted talent from independent circuits such
as Low Ki, Sin Cara, Alberto Del Rio and many more. Those names have been
either buried and fired or constantly humiliated. Unless Kenta gets the push
and support from fans C.M Punk and Daniel Bryan got, then he’ll be out of the
doors by summer 2015.
I really want Kenta to succeed in WWE.
But I just can’t see it happening. WWE will lose interest in the Japanese star
a month after he makes his main roster debut. He’ll be relegated to Superstars
and Main Event before being used as a jobber to the stars and then fired just
so McMahon can point the finger and tell us this is what happens when stars who
aren’t WWE trained come into the company. I get the feeling this is an exercise
for McMahon in teaching us a lesson. If so, it’s a waste of time and money.
Onwards and upwards...
