KENTA officially signs for WWE

[DC 536]

WWE® SIGNS JAPANESE STAR KENTA TO NXT®

 

STAMFORD, Conn., July 12, 2014 – WWE (NYSE:WWE) today announced it has signed Kenta, one of Japan’s biggest stars, to its NXT division. The announcement took place during a signing ceremony at a WWE Live Event in Osaka, Japan with WWE icon and Hall of Famer, Hulk Hogan presiding.

 

Kenta’s intense and straight forward in-ring style has led to his success in Japan, as well as during visits to the U.S. He is expected to reach new heights of global success with WWE.

 

“Kenta is an incredible performer who brings the crowd to its feet when he steps into the ring”, said Paul Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent, Creative and Live Events, WWE. “WWE’s signing of Kenta reflects our continued dedication to creating a diverse roster that appeals to our global fan base.”

 

“I am humbled to join WWE’s NXT division and look forward to honing my craft with the global leader in sports entertainment,” said Kenta.

 

Kenta will relocate to Orlando, Florida where he will train at WWE’s state-of-the-art Performance Center to enhance his talents both athletically and creatively.

 

Official WWE Japan announcement

 

It looks like a conspiracy in the works as KENTA signs at a time when both Daniel Bryan and CM Punk are no longer in the company, so he can now do his own finishers again. :lol

Edited July 12, 2014 by DC

[Guest John Hancock]

Yay I guess. I love KENTA, but I'm so down on WWE right now that I don't really care. They better put him with Paul Heyman instantly.

[King 277]

He'll be wearing a cowboy hat soon enough.

[DC 536]

Yay I guess. I love KENTA, but I'm so down on WWE right now that I don't really care. They better put him with Paul Heyman instantly.

He's going to be in NXT, which is a plus as he will have more of a free rein to do what he can do and it's also something KENTA has wanted to do for a while, so I'm happy for him as well.

[Guest Gomi]

HAI! HAI! HAI!

 

Best in the Gaia

[Evil Gringo 279]

They are showing him off with his Japanese ring name which means it would be silly to change his gimmick and also a bit silly to stick him on NXT. I can only hope it is to assist him with his English and promos and explain to him that pampered American wrestlers cannot take kicks at the stiffness level he throws them with.

 

If they bulk him up too much he'll lose a lot of the mobility that makes up his style so lets hope they don't insist on a 'vitamin rich diet'

 

It's still a bloody mistake for him though, I've said it would be from the start of the rumours and I'm sticking to it. I reckon he is release within 18 months without winning a title of any description in NXT or on the main roster.

 

The WWE have never really ever known what to do with a Japanese wrestler long term and unless there is a miracle, which to be fair I hope there is, I doubt that will have changed now.

[Guest Magic]

Unless he speaks English well, he'll fail. All the ring ability in the world will count for very little if he doesn't. I don't know how his English is, so I hope for his sake it is good.

 

My personal opinion on him is just a bit meh. Not really my cup of tea so I'm not fussed about the signing.

 

I'm more interested in it from an ideological point of view on WWE's side. If they let him keep his name and style, it could hopefully pave the way for more people joining the company in future being allowed similar. That's something I'd like to see greatly, although I won't hold my breath on it.

[Guest Ciaran The King]

I'm a big KENTA fan and I'm excited that he's signed with WWE however I do fear that he won't be used properly. Although he is an accomplished wrestler already the stint in NXT I think is to ultimately a transitional period for him to adjust to the US market.

[DC 536]

They are showing him off with his Japanese ring name which means it would be silly to change his gimmick and also a bit silly to stick him on NXT.

From quotes (which could be mistranslated, but I doubt it), going to NXT first was his preference.

I can only hope it is to assist him with his English and promos and explain to him that pampered American wrestlers cannot take kicks at the stiffness level he throws them with.

You shouldn't have to take kicks that stiff. You're meant to make it look like you're kicking someone full force, not actually kick them full force.

[Guest Matt Black]

Anyone else filled with dread at the WWE bigging up the signing of a non-English speaking wrestler from a tradition very different to the style embraced by the company in terms of 99% of its existing talent? Especially with a quote from HHH to add to the mix? Did they not just make a hash of it with a masked character that's now played by a different character entirely and used as a jobber?

 

Maybe this could work in the environment of NXT, but the main roster? Seriously?

 

Wouldn't he just become Yoshi Tatsu Mark 2?

[DC 536]

The failure of Sin Cara was nothing to do with WWE's lack of push / faith in the character and everything to do with Mistico just not being that good outside of his Mexican comfort zone.

 

KENTA will not have that problem, of that I have no doubt.

 

EDIT - here is the video of the contract signing.

 

[video=youtube_share;bTmPG9RSCKs]

 

Hogan mentioning RVD and John Cena as the future was hilarious. :lol

Edited July 13, 2014 by DC

[Guest Ciaran The King]

I think it's quite encouraging that WWE/Triple H have signed an experienced well known foreign wrestler, if the trend of recruiting the best talent in the world continues WWE could become a very interesting and diverse company

[Guest Matt Black]

The failure of Sin Cara was nothing to do with WWE's lack of push / faith in the character and everything to do with Mistico just not being that good outside of his Mexican comfort zone.

 

I was referring to the fact that Mistico failed to click despite the amount of effort that the WWE put behind him, not through lack of it. The way I see it, they could either have binned the entire Sin Cara character and forgotten all about it or gone with the choice of giving the mask to another guy, like they did with Hunico, which at least keeps a low-card talent in work and salvages something from the mess.

 

What amazes me is the fact that the same people whom we're constantly told "know what's good for business" failed to see that Mistico was a poor fit for the WWE's main roster.

 

I love KENTA and I hope that he makes it in whatever part of the WWE he ends up in.

 

It's just that I find it hard to imagine a Puro guy working in the WWE right now.

[Guest Ciaran The King]

I think with WWE's change over the last few year...NXT, Performance Centre, the pushes of Bryan, Punk, The Shield, Wyatts things are slowly changing. I'm really hoping the KENTA signing pays off long term

[Guest Matt Black]

I think with WWE's change over the last few year...NXT, Performance Centre, the pushes of Bryan, Punk, The Shield, Wyatts things are slowly changing. I'm really hoping the KENTA signing pays off long term

 

I'll second that, but also reserve judgement in light of the way that WWE has disappointed me in the past.