WWE: Top 8 Japanese Wrestlers From The Past 30 Years

1. Tajiri

The Japanese Buzzsaw is the most decorated Japanese-born WWE wrestler in the modern era, racking up three Cruiserweight titles, a Light Heavyweight reign, two Tag Team title runs and a turn with the United States Championship. All of this came during a four-plus year run with the company that started after ECW folded and Tajiri came in as Commissioner William Regal€™s assistant. While Tajiri was often played for a laugh, he was never treated as a joke in the ring. In fact, his in-ring talent is what drew fans to him. Whether it was the rope-assistant handspring back elbow, the Tarantula, Buzzsaw Kick or the green mist, Tajiri€™s moves usually drew a good reaction from the crowd. He was believable as a threat despite his size, much like Daniel Bryan is today. Granted, Tajiri doesn€™t have the main event victories Bryan does, but both men relied heavily on kicks and rapid strikes to keep larger opponents off-guard. It€™s been eight years since Tajiri has been seen on WWE television, and unless it€™s a one-shot deal if WWE goes to Japan, there€™s no indication he€™s planning a return despite keeping sharp in Japan. Tajiri€™s still younger than Triple H and Batista and any return would probably be pretty well received, so if KENTA does make his way to WWE, don€™t be entirely surprised if the company brings him in for a nostalgia run. It just might be what€™s best for business.
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Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fortunately became a fan in time for WrestleMania III and came back as a fan after a long high school hiatus before WM XIV. Monday nights in the Carlson household are reserved for viewing Raw -- for better or worse.