2. Japan Treats Pro Wrestling Like A Legitimate Sport
In his recent interview on Steve Austins podcast, Vince McMahon adamantly referred to his product as sports entertainment, much to Austins disappointment. Presentation of pro wrestling in Japan is very different: its treated like a legitimate sport, an athletic contest. A wrestlers technical skill and their determination are the core characteristics needed to be a big star. These traits, combined with the aforementioned stiff strikes, martial arts aspects, and in some cases dangerous maneuvers, make Japanese wrestling all about the physical action. With very few exceptions, without these core elements, one is not likely to be a big star in Japanese wrestling. This is why, for example, Johnny Ace Laurinaitis, considered one of the least-charismatic people in WWE, as a relatively successful star in Japan: they cared more about what he could in the ring than his promo skills. So if youre one of those who is tired of seeing overly-dramatized storylines on a weekly basis and want to see a true athletic contest, Japanese wrestling might be the answer youre looking for.