These Guys From Japan...
 

As many of you are aware, Japanese wrestling is not my cup of sake.

Does anyone think these guys can get over on the WWE roster? I get their appeal for WWE Network debuting in Japan. I get that the NXT audience would be all over them. But really focused on do people think A) these guys as a group would be recognized if they showed up on an average RAW in the midwest and B) do they have the WWE style charisma to get over.

I tried to watch a video of the one Japanese guy Nakumura or whatever, but I couldn't get through the whole match. I thought maybe he had some promo skills or something that would help put him over the top.

Looking forward to an open sharing of opinions on the matter.

Nakumura is great. All kinds of charisma and he'll of a in ring taken. Hope they don't tween his in ring work to much if he does come to WWE.

Styles is another great performer and has really taken off since leaving TNA. I think he could come right in to the main roster and have sucess.

Gallows and Anderson are a good tag team and would add good depth to either NXT or WWEs tag divisions.

Yeah the Japanese guy seemed kinda stiff. Hard to tell with other Japanese guys, but looked taller than I envisioned him.

AJ I know. I think he'll be the 2016 Neville on the main roster. I always thought he was a charisma vacuum.

Seems like logical signings for NXT, but was reading on wrestlinginc.com that some of the bloggers were saying they are headed for WWE, which seems odd.

Another thing, if they get rights to Bullet Club, is that PG enough?

AJ is going to be more than Neville 2015, that's if they let him go all out

Nakamura has enough charisma and in ring talent to be a solid upper midcarder, but as long as he can't speak english, that's as far as he'll go, even with a mouthpiece like Heyman.

Dunno how styles will do. He's got tne inring ability, and big name recognition, but he's never been big on charisma or promo skills.

Can see the other two being successful as a tag team under Finn Balor

Hope they don't buy Bullet Club name from NJPW. To good of a stable to be ruined when they come to WWE. If NJPW is disbanding it for Kenny Omega's The Elite I'd rather the Young Bucks keep it alive in ROH.

If only DLVH84 hadn't been killed by the Yakuza, he'd love this stuff

Nakamura works "strong style" - which is why it looks stiff.... it is.

Nakamura is 6'2 and can speak English

How well?

Out of all the rumored guys, AJ Styles probably has the best shot of getting over first. Already managed to become very popular with every organization he's been and probably needs the less tweaking out of all the guys to fit in the WWE style.

Anderson and Gallows staying as a tag team would be the best for both. Nakamura might be more like Itami's plans in the sense of being an IC champ or upper midcarder would be a huge deal just because of WWE's past history with Japanese wrestlers.

They might bring in the group as heels to help HHH. It would lead to a reunion of The Shield. But I just don't know if the group would get over since as far as I know nobody in the group can cut a promo.

Honey, you haven't heard the beauty of Doc and the Gun

YouTube a Bullet Club promo

Spent most of the night trying to find the press conference where Gallows said he was going to Climax all over the G1

And where Anderson said he was up all night drinking beers and snorting melatonin

That was actually a pretty god awful promo.

Hard to find him speaking much english. i really think putting him with Heyman and allowing him to do his thing with little interference can make him top tier even if he has poor english

Maybe its one of those "you had to understand the context" type deals, but that seemed like the most generic windy promo I've ever heard.

I'm really curious to see what happens. Just doesn't feel like a main event group to get excited about. Lots of gun pointing (which I am guessing wont be allowed on WWE TV, I saw alot of gimmick infringement as well).

NXT - I think all the hardcore fans will go crazy for it, and it would be a great piece of business to have Balor involved with that could probably sell tickets for NXT throughout 2016.

Yeah Heyman would make sense if he's destined for the main roster. And he would have to be pushed. But the question is can he pick up the WWE style fast enough to not embarrass himself and force WWE to de-push him quickly.

Sounds pretty PG

Hope they don't ask him to change his in ring work. Why sign the king of strong style only to have him learn "WWE style"?

Didn't think it was God awful but it was one of the shorter ones could find but definitely not their best. Anderson probably the best talker of the group though.

Nakumura vs Rollins is the match I'd most want to see from the bunch. Feel like Styles vs Ziggler could be good as well but not as good as Rollins/Nakumura.

If they let him go all out Styles will be just fine on the main roster. The dude has "it".

Nakumura will be fine if he can just get over the language barrier. If he speaks English he should be fine so long as he speaks it relatively well. Of course there'll always be a glass ceiling above him simply because he's Japanese. I could see him having a great career, and he could possibly go further than any Japanese wrestler ever has here in the States (even Muta), but that'll all depend on whether or not WWE is willing to push him.

As for Gallows and Anderson, well I don't know enough about them to really say where they'll go. Gallows having already been in WWE and flopping is going to hurt him though. He'll have the Tensai issue where everyone chants his old ring-name during matches if they try to repackage him. Just imagining the area chanting "Festus!" already...

Shinsuke Nakamura has charisma out the whazoo. He'll be able to get over in the same sense that CM Punk and Daniel Bryan got over. He may not be the top guy, but people will love him. I'd love to see Ambrose vs. Nakamura, and think that could be a tremendous IC Title match at SummerSlam.

AJ Styles should debut in NXT and challenge his friend and ally, Finn Balor to an NXT Title match. Then Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows jump the barricade and Balor is all confused. Heel turn from Styles and The Bullet Club is the hottest thing in NXT. They make a target of whoever is going against Triple H at the time on the main roster (Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose?) and then Finn Balor gets called up to join them for a big six-man on PPV.

Nakamura seems to be using alot more submission moves lately so I could see him going that route for a finisher but putting him with anyone who enjoys working stiff could be sheer magic.

I like that

I could get behind a Nakumura WWE title run to. Wouldn't have to be a long one but having him hold the title could be great for them in Japan. Don't feel like Vince would give a title run to Styles but but you never know. Styles was the first American IWGP Heavyweight Champion since Brock Lesnar and he won it twice.

I wouldn't sign Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale right now. Let them get more experience and star time in Japan, and don't dry New Japan all out at once. Once AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows are more established, you can bring in this new "Elite" group of Kenny Omega, Tama and Fale and make them their own big deal.

Not sure how I feel about that Elite name either. Would like them to just stay Bullet Club andOmega gets a big push. With Gallows and Anderson leaving that sets up Tonga and Fale to be the heavyweight tag team for Bullet Club. Cody Hall could also move up in the ranks and maybe win the NEVER Openweight title.

I don't like that Elite name either. Maybe it'll change when the group gets their vibe together?

Seems like it would confuse people to with the Killer Elite Squad. I feel like its just another branch of Bullet Club, kind of like NWO Hollywood or NWO 2000. Bullet Club The Elite would be fine but just Elite would seem wrong.

Gallows could also team up with The Dudleys and face Balor, Styles, and Anderson (all leaders of Bullet Club at one time). Aces & Eights vs Bullet Club.

It should probably play off the idea of Omega being "The End" or something. "End Times?"

I was reading an article on 411Mania.com that suggested AJ Styles wins the Royal Rumble. You know, if they can't get The Rock insured, the case of who faces Brock Lesnar does become a lot murkier. With Gallows, Anderson and maybe Balor behind him, AJ Styles could gather more credibility as a force.

AJ winning the Rumble to win the title would be crazy. Styles/Lesnar at Mania for the WWE title being the ladt 2 Americans to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Probably wont happen but would be a huge shake up.

I'm not buying this whole "CyNick is turning a new leaf and will now be discussing stuff rationally" thing. It's clearly a trap.

Haha, he's probably just had his fill of trolling.

I can't see Styles winning, and I don't know if I'd want him to, creatively speaking, but when you piece WrestleMania together, there are very few things for Brock to do.

Plus the WWE does not have the best track record of calling up guys with their NXT aura intact. Finn Balor could end up exactly like Neville if he's brought up as is. As part of a heel stable, he might be able to shine from the sides and chew the scenery and develop a personality a bit more.

As stupid, crazy, ridiculous as it sounds, and as much as I don't really want this to happen, I actually really want this to happen simply because it's so completely "out there" that it'd be interesting to see.

I'm with Fan, this has to be a trap... Still waiting for something to explode or some shit.

I've just looked this bullet club up on YouTube. It's just a bad rip off of NWO but with midgets. What's the big deal?

They're in Japan so it's "cool"

Just a stable of foreign guys that managed to get very popular in Japan and having Scott Hall give his blessing with the Kliq/nWo hand signs.

Them getting very popular and generating huge merch sales was something that rarely happens with foreign guys in Japan.

Also the push they have recieved has helped them out alot. Multiple championships and having a foreigner hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship doesnt happen a whole lot and AJ dit it twice. Just a cool group that knows they are over really, kind of like a bigger white New Day.

So what would make them stand out in wwe? Where they won't be foreigners, won't be allowed crotch chops or wolfpac hand gestures and won't have the same push?

Good question. Thats part of the reason I dont want WWE to use them as Bullet Club. I know WWE wont give them that push they deserve. Could see them keeping the crotch chops and wolfpack hand gestures though.

Yeah I dunno they'll probably just be in NXT and get over there, then be brought up to the main roster and job out to ryback or Del Rio or whatever.

Would probably be best to start AJ in NXT against Balor only to have Anderson and Gallows interfere on Balors behalf to start Bàlor Club. Have them run through NXT and debut on the main roster after Mania. Feel like Nakumura should start on the main roster though.

Debut on the main roster when Vince is dead and Kevin Dunn is in jail.

I dont know with AJ being in WWE before Vince might get behind the guy but I doubt it. Seeing as how they have used Joe I dont really ha e high expectations from him in WWE.

balor has been doing the wolfpac hand gesture pretty much his entire nxt run.

obviously that has nothing to do with how these guys will get over or be used. just saying.

So unless he has more dates in Jan than listed, should Nakumura debut at the Rumble as a faceless participant?, A surprise opponent for ADR? or hold off until after WM and just tease us until then?

Should definitely go to NXT first, because if he debuts on the main roster right now it would just be "Who the hell is this and why should I care", and also he needs time to adjust to the WWE style.... Don't want another Sin Cara....

Screw WWE style, they should leave his sting style alone.

There's a difference between a masked guy famous in Mexico than a guy famous for wrestling in America. They know who the fuck the Phenomenal AJ Styles is.

Nakamura going to NXT will just de-rail Hideo Itami once he heals up.

Probably stick Nakumura with Itami in a stereotypical Japanese tag team. Indeed.

Yo, Fastway (and my reply to him) was talking about Nakamura, not AJ Styles. Styles they could get away with debuting on the main roster right away.

As far as Nakamura de-railing Hideo Itami, I say.... who cares. Only seen pics/gifs of Nakamura, but seems to have more "charisma" than Hideo Itami has (who seems to have very little). If Hideo can't keep up, it is his own fault.

Would be cool if tjey carried over the storyline from njpw and had AJ fighting Balor, Karl, and Gallows for the bullet clubs betrayal. Maybe even a team up with his old rival samoa joe.

Also after watching WK10, I'm pretty excited for Anderson and Gallows. They're really solid as a team, and work great together.

Shouldn't Itami be back by now? Feels way overdue.

Within 3 months of the debut aj styles will be as relevant as brian Christopher and naga whatever will be as relevant as taka michinoku.

Still doing the same "just being me" gimmick.

Ive honestly just had enough of the same back and forth about the same 2 or 3 issues. I have my opinion, they differ from you guys who light the torch for the IWC, so I'm now trying to use my power of drawing people in to have discussions on specific topics. Let's face it, this place is dead without me. Dont worry, I'm sure I will still say things that bother you from time to time.

Styles winning the Rumble would be horrible. The Japanese guy would make more sense of the two. But both are bad ideas.

I honestly think Styles should be just there as part of an NXT angle with Balor.

Was the Japanese guy a part of the Bullet Club?

Not to be a pest, but they'll get the push they deserve. If they came in as The Bullet Club or anything else, and proved they could sell merch, and had a positive impact on TV ratings and house show business, they would get pushed.

Ive watched some videos of some of these guys, and they all come off very generic to me. Im skeptical about their ability to get over in WWE beyond 3 or 4 big markets. Like will they be over in Colorado Springs? Im guessing not.

I agree with this.

I feel like Nak-Man (needs a more catchier name) should be introduced with vignettes and put with a mouthpiece (Heyman would be logical), and let him start at the bottom and work up relatively quickly.

I would debut him at Mania. You want to drive Network subscribers from Japan. Have 5-6 weeks of vignettes, and get a name opponent for him. Debut at Mania and win.

Dont overestimate the popularity of TNA. Certain cities will go crazy for AJ debuting (the bizzaro world cities), but most towns he will be just another indy guy. Thats why you have to beware of pops you get in cities like Chicago or Boston, because they dont always translate in Sacramento or Oklahoma City.

I think leaving Styles in NXT would be a huge waste of talent kind of like they doing with Samoa Joe. No, Nakumura was the leader of Chaos though but thats a different Japanese stable that I wont get into.

Yeah, I'm still doing that "just being me"... "gimmick"... (:wtf:)

But yes. Stick to this actually discussing things thing. You'll be alright.

Still don't trust you though, so... yeah. Fuck you.

Colorado Springs is full of Bullet Club marks.

I KNOW A TROLL TRAP WHEN I SEE ONE, COCKSUCKER.

Love that these guys are coming over. I wish Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks would come as well.

I am in absolute shock and awe that this is happening. Nakamura is easily my favourite wrestler in the world and has been for about four years now. The guy has such a unique charisma and style that's distinctive to him without being awkward and unfamiliar to american wrestlers (so there shouldn't be the same Sin Cara style issues), that I honestly think this could work. If it doesn't, that'll speak even more to the impossible environment WWE has become and how little they want to make multiple stars as opposed to just the one. He has an advantage in that he'll be the only one like him (as I don't see Itami being called up any time soon, frankly) and is distinct as hell anyway.

Styles I'm a little less certain about, because you just know there has to be some inherent prejudices there, but so long as he stays injury free, he's better now than he's ever been, and there's real potential.

Anderson and Gallows I don't see being a big deal other than back-up for Balor if he goes heel or something. And I like Anderson, but there are plenty of guys his level or better doing nothing already.

Kenny Omega just did an interview where he said he doesn't like wrestling based Bullet Club parodies like Balor Club. If Bullet Club didn't steal everything from the nWo I would understand. Plus he was the leader. Fuck off Omega.

Exactly. Bullet Club is a shitty stable with no identity of its own that has been a fucking utter burden on New Japan for two years now and the only original members left are Fat Fuck Fale and Tama Tonga. Unless the Young Bucks screaming "Suck It" like nine year old backyarders is your thing, the Bullet Club has very little left to enjoy as an act in itself, and it was a tedious push even when they had great workers like Devitt and Styles leading it.

I said it in another thread but Kenny Omega seems entirely too talented to have not gotten a shot somewhere in North America yet.

Dont be scared man.

Lets talk Jap studs!

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x19i0lw?start=588" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x19i0lw_hiroshi-tanahashi-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-njpw-wrestle-kingdom-8-2014_sport?start=588" target="_blank">Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - NJPW...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/Uppgreyedd" target="_blank">Uppgreyedd</a></i>

He smacktalked about WWE developmental from his time there. Shame he might not be back.

I'll read everything in here later, but I'd have Nakamura do a guest shot in the Rumble, but then work NXT until after Mania where he can gain proper traction and guys like Brock, Rock, Taker, etc. aren't around.

<font color=goldenrod>Omega's said that WWE has tried to sign him 3 times ever since he made the negative comments but he turned them down based on his bad experiences in Deep South.

I'm sure he would be way happier with NXT than he was with Deep South...but tough to blame him for not leaving Japan at this point.</font>

Yeah Omega probably going to get a huge push to. Him staying is good for NJPW and him. I'd say he win the Intercontinental Championship and could even get a IWGP Heavyweight title shot but Im not sure he wins it just yet.

He's not winning the IWGP, surely not.

Kenny Omega is okay, but I'm not as blown away by him as many seem to be. His character stuff sucks and has fallen flat for a full year now. The angle with him kicking out AJ was good, so lets hope he can turn it around as he becomes more serious.

Athletically he's great, but his selling is the shits. Ibushi had the same problem too when he first came aboard, but he adjusted and became tons better for it, so Omega can too. One thing he has going for him is that he's fearless as a personality, so once he finds what works, he'll go all out and it'll likely work really well. But it's more potential than a polished product for me with him.

Any chance they bring Tajiri in to be Nakamura's kayfabe father leading to a storyline of Nakamura having a strict father who only cares about his son's education and not his dream of being the best Japanese wrestler ever?




*Tajiri is only 45, but it'd be funny. Bobby Lee being the failure son in the background of promos getting rice thrown at him would be icing

Yeah hopefully he tones down the ridiculousness

Tama Tonga coming too?

As long as Haku comes with him

TPWW front page says he posted on Twitter that he was a free agent.

I wouldn't mind seeing Dean Ambrose defend the Intercontinental Title against both Chris Jericho and Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania now. The story could be Ambrose and Nakamura -- the two "lunatics" -- wanting to face each other to decide who the true Intercontinental Champion of the World is. Chris Jericho interjects because he feels that he is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time. He turns heel on Nakamura and Ambrose at some point to give he feud some "base."

That match would be pretty awesome, but the Triple Threat nature still leaves stuff on the table for later.