7 Things WWE Can Learn From NJPW
WWE should steal a lot more than talent from New Japan.
The fates of World Wrestling Entertainment and New Japan Pro Wrestling have intertwined in a way that nobody expected they would in 2016. After a groundbreaking 2014 New Japan stalled somewhat in 2015, but the sheer depth of the roster made for a plethora of exciting shows. As Wrestle Kingdom 10 approached, the future looked pretty darn good for NJPW.
The day after Wrestle Kingdom 10, everything changed. Four of NJPW's biggest stars handed their notices in; Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows were all gone in the blink of an eye. Rumours were rife that the quartet were on their way to WWE, and rumours were true.
After taking stock of the situation and dealing with the initial shock, New Japan went back to doing what it does best; putting on professional wrestling shows. New faces have stepped into the gap left by the departures, and arguably the future continues to grow in the resultant light for NJPW.
On the other side of the pond, WWE's product continues to thrill and irritate in equal measure. By looking over to Japan for more than just talent, WWE could possibly take a few pointers from New Japan Pro Wrestling on ways to maximise their roster and put out a more consistent product in the process.
Here are seven such ways...
7. A More Physical In-ring Style
Whilst I don't expect to see R-Truth and Fandango going at it like Tomoaki Honma and Tomohiro Ishii anytime soon, WWE could definitely benefit from allowing its talent to work a more physical style. This might seem like a risk in light of the mass of injuries WWE has experienced over the last year or so, but the positives of such a move are clear to see.
WWE's audience still wants to see the physical side of the product, and nothing heightens the anticipation in this regard more than the promise of a true war. It's also true that a couple of the maligned WWE chosen children, namely Roman Reigns and Sheamus, get a much more respectful reception when they work a more physical style.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn bring crowds to their feet whenever they are within punching distance of each other, and a lot of this has to do with the sense of reality that comes from their exchanges. By allowing their talent to lay the strikes in a little deeper, WWE could really benefit.