5 Best Japanese Wrestlers In WWE History (& 5 That Should Have Been Bigger Stars)

WWE has made Japan a bigger priority when it comes to recruiting new talents in the hiring process. The wrestling scene in Japan has improved throughout the years with New Japan becoming a top promotion along with a few other smaller relevant companies. Japanese wrestlers have a reputation for working stiffer due to fans still wanting realism from wrestling.

RELATED: The 10 Best Japanese Wrestlers of the Decade

The names to get an opportunity in WWE feature a mixed bag of results. Success stories prove that talented stars can get over without knowing fluent English if they can connect with the audience in another way. Unfortunately, there are also the tales of wrestlers struggling to win over Vince McMahon. The following wrestlers were either the best Japanese stars in WWE history or names that should have been bigger stars.

10 Best: Taka Michinoku

WWE tried their light heavyweight division in the ‘90s as an answer to WCW’s thriving cruiserweight division. The international appeal of WCW’s cruiserweights saw WWE trying to add stars from other countries as well.

RELATED: New Japan: 10 Wrestlers Vince Had No Idea What To Do With

Taka Michinoku was the face of the division after winning a tournament to become the first Light Heavyweight Champion. WWE could have done more with him, but Taka had enough great matches to earn a spot on the better side of the list.

9 Should have been bigger: Kota Ibushi

WWE brought in Kota Ibushi for the Cruiserweight Classic with wrestlers from all over the world competing in a tournament. Ibushi was the biggest name involved and made the final four before elimination.

The hype for Ibushi was there, but WWE chose to have him lose due to not signing a contract moving forward. Ibushi could have been a huge star for WWE if things worked out and he received a push as part of any roster.

8 Best: Io Shirai

The recent success of Io Shirai has seen her become the face of NXT women’s division. Shirai won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat to have a huge moment.

The matches of Shirai have been impressive since the day she debuted. Io improved even more after adding an edge to her character. Io already has a legacy in NXT, but the success could reach new heights whenever called up to the main roster.

7 Should have been bigger: Bull Nakano

WWE tried to create a women’s division in the ‘90s with Alundra Blayze as the face of the roster. Bull Nakano was signed from Japan to become a top rival for Blayze, especially with the size advantage making her bully character a strong heel.

The matches of Nakano were fun, but the women’s division didn’t receive the same attention due to the inconsistent use of them. Bull could have been a top star for WWE in the women’s division if her career took place in the current time.

6 Best: Tajiri

Tajiri joined WWE in 2001 shortly after the end of ECW. Paul Heyman helped elevate Tajiri and introduced him to new fans as a breakout star for ECW after they lost top names to WWE and WCW.

The comedy segments of Tajiri with William Regal and Torrie Wilson helped him become a great asset in the mid-card. Tajiri had a great presence providing good matches and equally impressive character work. WWE benefited from having him fill any role needed on the show for a few years.

5 Should have been bigger: Hakushi

Jinsei Shinzaki was one of the first standout Japanese talents to get signed by WWE for the gimmick of Hakushi. The idea was flawed, but Hakushi certainly did his part to make it work by coming off as a credible heel.

RELATED: 10 Best Events In New Japan History

For example, Bret Hart worked a program with Hakushi that showed he could succeed in a main event role against the top star in the company. Sadly, WWE rarely did much with Hakushi afterward, but he could have been an upper mid-card heel for years if they pushed him.

4 Best: Shinsuke Nakamura

The signing of Shinsuke Nakamura was one of the biggest moves made by Triple H. Nakamura started off in NXT with huge expectations as an all-time great New Japan performer. The NXT run saw Shinsuke dominating as a two-time NXT World Champion.

Nakamura’s run on the main roster has been hit or miss. Despite not hitting his full potential, Nakamura has a few massive accomplishments like winning the Royal Rumble, Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship.

3 Should have been bigger: Kushida

Kushida recently made the move to the United States from Japan after signing a WWE contract. The expectations were high since Kushida was considered an all-time great junior heavyweight in NJPW’s history.

NXT has not done a good job at spotlighting Kushida and he’s rarely on television. Kushida has good matches whenever he’s in a position to succeed, but WWE is already dropping the ball with him due to hot and cold booking.

2 Best: Asuka

WWE made a brilliant move when signing Asuka following her incredible success in Japan under the name of Kana. Asuka was pushed instantly in NXT, winning the NXT Women’s Championship from Bayley and having an undefeated streak last throughout her entire run.

The main roster stint of Asuka featured some disappointments like going months without relevance after the streak ended to Charlotte Flair. However, things have picked with Asuka now becoming the face of the women’s division. Asuka is one of just two female grand slam champions in WWE.

1 Should have been bigger: Hideo Itami

The signing of Hideo Itami aka KENTA by WWE came around the same time as Finn Balor and Kevin Owens. All three were viewed on the same level as WWE’s biggest recruiting success yet to set up the future.

Owens and Balor became top stars, but injuries slowed down Itami’s push. WWE eventually placed him on 205 Live as part of the cruiserweight division after a few more injuries ended the company’s confidence in him. Itami chose to leave WWE and now works for NJPW as part of the Bullet Club.

NEXT: 10 Wrestlers Who Had Lackluster Careers In The States But Became Stars In Japan

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