8 Things WWE Fans Need To Know About KENTA

By Marcus K. Dowling /

Once per generation there comes a point wherein United States-based professional wrestling fans become aware of talents based in Japan whose in-ring gifts create a physical charisma that allows them the ability to succeed in America. With World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) apparently quite close to signing well-respected Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA, this generation's most dynamic Japanese superstar is about to finally reach American shores. In the 1970s, it was The Great Kabuki, Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba who filled the role of Pacific Rim names of note, Japanese grapplers following in the tradition of the legendary Rikidozan who first brought the American spectacle of pro wrestling to the Land of the Rising Sun. The 80s and early 90s featured a plethora of talents like Masahiro Chono and Kensuke Sasaki having brief runs in US-based promotions, though no Japanese (let's extend that to all non-Americans) wrestler was more iconic than the Great Muta. World Championship Wrestling shifted the concept of Japanese having major roles in the United States from the heavyweight to cruiserweight ranks though, as Magnum Tokyo, Kaz Hayashi and famously Ultimo Dragon all had significant exposure. ECW joined in as well, as Masato Tanaka and Yoshihiro Tajiri were major players in that company's dying days. However, 33-year old KENTA blends a mix of all of these prior greats into a new-age package that provides a progressive viewpoint of what both Japanese wrestling - as well as our expectations of Japanese wrestlers - can be. If looking to understand more about what makes KENTA great, here are eight reasons why he's in WWE, and if allowed to perform to the level of his Japanese legacy, he can be a solid contributor to WWE's growing bottom line.