10 Japanese Wrestlers Who Were Totally Wasted In America

In 2010 New Japan knew they had something special with Kazuchika Okada but believed he wasn't quite there yet. To provide him with the experience needed to take him to the next level, they sent him to TNA. Considering what's happened since it's hard to argue with the results, but calling the subsequent run underwhelming is giving it too much credit.

For the rest of 2010, Okada popped up in dark matches and on Xplosion tapings, and that was it. In 2011 he finally debuted, as a camera man hired by Samoa Joe to follow D’Angelo Dinero around. Eventually, this would see him morph into a character inspired by Kato from the Green Hornet, and he took on the name Okato. Not that that made much difference as it led to one match against Dinero and little else.

Okada hung around for a bit longer but did nothing of note before leaving TNA to return to Japan. With what the man has achieved since, you have to wonder about TNA's ability to spot a talent. Could no one see what they had in their hands?