10 Things You Need To Know About WWE's New Signing Kairi Hojo
9. The Pirate Gimmick
If WWE fans remember Paul Burchill for anything, it’s probably his pirate gimmick. The Englishman was always a talented wrestler and looked great while working alongside William Regal, but his Jack Sparrow-esque persona all but buried his wrestling career. The act was over at times, but it was impossible to take Burchill seriously after it had run its course, and it’s hokiness led to the frustration that eventually compelled Burchill to retire from the business.
The pirate gimmick hasn’t been seen on WWE television since 2007, but Hojo is no stranger to the act. She became Stardom’s “Pirate Princess” shortly after taking a debut loss to Yuzuki Aikawa, whose “Zenryoku Joshi” stable she joined almost immediately. Her sailing background saw Stardom dress Hojo up in some goofy Anne Bonny-esque attire, and Hojo has never been anything less than 100% enthusiastic in her portrayal.
Her stablemate Act Yasukawa had a monopoly on the pirate gimmick’s more cartoonish aspects (eyepatches, swigging booze on the way to the ring, etc.), but aside from her immense wrestling skills, the character is primarily what Hojo is known for. Will we see her reprise this act in WWE? Probably not. It makes sense through Japanese wrestling’s more light-hearted lens, but it’d be certain death in NXT or on the main roster, as Burchill’s example shows.