7 Things WWE Can Learn From NJPW

One of the big gripes that many have had with WWE over the past few years is how much TV time has been taken up by guys whose best is quite clearly behind them. Big Show and Kane in particular seem to find themselves at the business end of the show more often than not, and whilst it is difficult begrudge the legends this time it simply isn't necessary.

NJPW consistently finds ways to utilise its veterans in positive ways. Sure, they might spend the majority of the year in multi-man tag matches early on the card, but the benefits are two-fold; one is that the live crowd gets to see true legends, and the second is that young workers get a chance to work up close with men who have been around the sport for a long, long time.

The company also isn't afraid to shine a little bit of spotlight on these veterans from time to time, as seen in the feud this year between Katsuyori Shibata and the endearingly-termed New Japan Dads (Tenzan, Kojima, and Nagata). Shibata has disrespected the legends at every turn, which he followed by backing himself up in the ring in defeating Tenzan and Kojima. His cockiness got the better of him against Nagata however, with Blue Justice picking up the win and the NEVER Openweight Championship in the process.

Far from weakening Shibata by having him lose to an older competitor, the loss is designed to light a fire under the bottom of Shibata and push him further up the card. It also has that double value of giving a major rub to whoever defeats Nagata for the championship.