Over the years, WWE has featured several notable Japanese wrestlers. However, a former WWE writer believes that cultural ignorance, particularly on Vince McMahon’s side, may be to blame for their lack of success in WWE.
There has always been mystery surrounding Vince McMahon’s decision-making, and Freddie Prinze Jr. speculates that McMahon’s treatment of Japanese talent in WWE may have been influenced by cultural considerations. If not, major stars like Asuka and Nakamura would receive as much attention as Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, or Rhea Ripley.
Former creative revealed Vince McMahon mindset towards Japanese stars
Vince McMahon has been at the heart of many backstage dealings and power battles in the history of WWE. He took over the company in 1982 after learning the ropes from his father, Vince McMahon Sr.
TKO’s new executive chairman, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to care much for Japanese wrestlers. There have been several outstanding Japanese wrestlers, but they have yet to achieve major success in WWE. Nakamura, Kairi Sane, Asuka and Iyo Sky are just a few of the Japanese superstars who got their start in NXT under the leadership of Triple H.
Recently, on Wrestling with Freddie podcast, Freddie Prinze Jr. explored the challenges faced by Japanese superstars in WWE. The former creative writer said, “It’s just a cultural ignorance, Vince always felt..if English isn’t their first language, the American fan is always going to look at them as a heel, and if they’re a face, he wanted them to be funny and goofy.”
Nakamura, Asuka, Iyo Sky’s career in post-McMahon era
Genichiro Tenryu, Tatsumi Fujinami, Taka Michinoku, Yoshihiro Tajiri, KUSHIDA, KENTA, Asuka, and Shinsuke Nakamura are just a few of the many Japanese superstars that have premiered in WWE. The Japanese figure Yokozuna was a member of the Samoan Anoa’i wrestling family, and despite their brilliance, no male Japanese wrestler has ever won the WWE Championship.
Asuka has been the most successful Japanese wrestler in WWE, securing numerous women’s championships. Nevertheless, she is an exception, as most Japanese WWE stars have faced challenges. Triple H has played a significant role in WWE and has been instrumental in providing opportunities for notable Japanese wrestlers. One such pair is Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka, whose recent championship match garnered a lot of attention.
After Nakamura defeated Seth Rollins in the finals, Triple H publicly praised him on Twitter. The development of such plots for Japanese wrestlers likely stems from Vince McMahon’s reduced influence on WWE’s creativity.
Do you want those Japanese characters to be heroes like Roman Reigns or John Cena, or do you think they’re great in “Heel” roles? Share your opinion in the comment section.
