10 WWE Superstars You Never Knew Wrestled In Japan

6. Erick Rowan

Thoruf Not much is known about the sheep mask wearing former Wyatt family member€™s wresting career before he signed with WWE in 2011. By all accounts Rowan pretty much stuck to wrestling in his native Minnesota (including for Harley Race€™s WLW) but the big man did tour with Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2007. Although the company€™s fortunes have faded in recent years (the loss of KENTA to WWE will not help matters) in 2007 Po Wrestling NOAH was known as one of the most exciting wrestling promotions in Japan, if not the world. Rowan, performing under the name Thoruf, only worked one tour for the company competing in 18 matches that usually appeared towards the bottom of the card. Rowan towered above the Japanese and other gaijin wrestlers but his impressive stature was not matched by impressive performances in the ring. Indeed, Rowan was a long way off the becoming the wrestler he is today but his experience in Japan would have undoubtedly played a part in his development. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4SR6C5xSx4
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Student of film. Former professional wrestler. Supporter of Newcastle United. Don't cry for me, I'm already dead...