Who Could have made it in the US?

[greenman]

By made it I mean made it as a main eventer or at least a mid card belt champ over the past 10 years or so. I know alot of you will say "most people are better staying in japan" and I agree from a match quality standpoint. However I think 80% of people who wrestled in japan over the past 10 years would have taken a big offer from the US.

I dont think any juniors could really have made it big as 99% of the people in the US are just not going to job to anyone under 6 foot. I think the only way anyone could have made it was as a "Naste foreigner" heel in the WWF in the early to mid 90's. Iv not seen enough of the heavyweights to have much idea of who would have worked best. But from what i have seen Kawada would have made a great heel i.e. brutal but not to flashy. Plus id have payed to see him kick lugers head into the 10th row

[emlyn]

Mutoh was way over in WCW in his first spell, and they were going to turn him babyface but 'a friend' told him to go back to Japan and he went

[OldSchoolFan]

Chono's first run in WCW ( I know it really wasn't a run but he was on their shows and ppv's for roughly 3-4 months durring the crosspromotion between NJPW and WCW) would have been a bit bigger I think if the would have the the program between him and pilman fly. Sasaki was pretty over durring that run as well.

[Hijo de Carlos]

Huh? When did Chono feud with Pillman?

[Aveburian Knight CMD]

Chono used to use an aerial attack? I thought Chono's first taste of WCW was with Rick Rude over the NWA title.

I remember the Pillman/Liger matches from the SuperBrawl II days, but I can't remember any Chono/Pillman matches. That could have been an very enjoyable program since both were not hurt/beat up yet.

[OldSchoolFan]

I'm sorry, it was Rude I had pilman stuck in my head yesterday for some reason lol.

[Jason]

I don't know that anyone could have gotten over as a main-eventer without being able to speak english, but i think Tenzan has a great look for a heel and probably could have gotten over as a tough guy in the U.S.

[Luds]

Tenzan could have made it, Mutoh also, but probably only as Muta... He was already popular in the States, and maybe a guy like Sasaki...

[greenman]

Yoko was a main eventer for over a year in the WWF and he hardly spoke a word of english the whole time. Though he did have cornett as a mouthpeice alot of the time.

[Dr Feelgood]

Hopefully Hayabusa would have. His character is hard to mess up and I think he could have fit in pretty well with enough WWF stars in the ring at the time.
A bit further back, Hiroshi Hase, especially as part of the Viet Cong Express.

[Fulltime Killer]

I wouldn't mind seeing Minoru Tanaka have a match with Benoit, both of them are **** good wrestlers....

[Ganso]

Yoko was a main eventer for over a year in the WWF and he hardly spoke a word of english the whole time. Though he did have cornett as a mouthpeice alot of the time.

Yokozuna was not a Japanese. He name is Rodney Anoai he related somehow to the big Somoan Family. For a short time he was a tag partner of Masahiro Chono.

Oh and he spoke english just fine

[greenman]

Yeah I know he was not japanese but I just gave it as an example of someone being in the main event without speaking much if at all.

[Tradewynd]

I think Chono really could have gotten over in 97 back when the nWo was running wild. He had a great look, was the leader of nWo Japan and couild still work. I'm the only person I know who didn't absolutely hate him. He carried himself like a star and under different circumstances may have been treated like one. I don't there was anyone who put Chono in the same class as Jim Powers.

[Misawafan]

I agree with everyone who said Tenzan would get over well in the U.S. He would draw heat instantly but beating on WWE's top guys with his stiff and entertaining style. I even think he could draw heat on the mic. I know that sounds stupid but when you hear him yelling on the mic you what he is saying can't be good. I could easily see him deliver a few headbutts and a latriet to the rock tho then pick up the mike and belt out some of those "EEEEUUURGH!!!" (I can't put it in writing to well) to have the fans explode into a chorus of boos. And I think a good number of Japan's Jr. Heavyweights would have done well in WCW when they were a respectable company. The cruiserweight title was a very credible title at times. And look at the U.S. and the T.V. title they both had some credible Junior champions.