Now while some will argue with this article and say the reason there hasn't been any major Asian/Japanese stars in WWE, is because they are all tied up working for Japanese promotions and enjoy being big stars there, I will argue this:
That may be true but why hasnt any Asian American, or Japanese American wrestlers who are home grown and trained, made it to the big time, and made it into main event status?
I'm not going to buy ignorant sterotypes that it's because they arent built for wrestling and are too small.
Because if that were the case then why is New Japan wrestling so popular and why are there so many Asian and Japanese wrestlers who enjoy long and title filled careers in Japan?
Clearly that leads one to believe that the problem therein lies with the American promotions, and more specifically WWE not willing to train, nurture, and promote Asian American wrestlers.
WWE sees Funaki as a sterotype joke.
Here is a guy who has been with WWE since 1999-2000 and all they can do with him is make him a jobber to every up and coming wrestler since 2000.
And to add insult to injury, they only have given him storylines where they make fun of his inabilty to grasp the english language.
Based on tenure this guy should have been a main event star by now.
Then there was Tajiri.
He had a great amount of steam building in 2001 then after 9/11, WWE turned him heel and within several years he was but a memory.
The other problem is WWE only seems to know how to promote Asian stars one way.
As stereotypical "I dont speak English" and as a joke or for comic relief.
Imagine if every single african american star WWE has ever had was promoted and forced to take on the gimmick of Cryme Tyme.
Surely people would cry racism rightfully so.
But no, this has happened time and time again to Asian stars, and everyone seems to ignore it.
I love Bret Hart.
But I remember Bret crying foul for not wanting to drop his belt in his home country and his national pride as a Canadian.
Imagine though being Asian and in WWE.
If Bret thinks he had it bad and had no sympathy for his national pride and hertitage imagine how every asian wrestler has felt.
And those are few and far in between.
WWE poorly promoted Gail Kim, yet she went on to be TNA's most popular and charismatic Knockout.
I cant wait to see what WWE will do this time to that poor girl.
I'd like to go on and on about all the asian stars who never got a world title or taken seriously but unfortunatley WWE hasnt even given many Asians a job in WWE.
We can't forget Mr. Fuji, who was successful as a wrestler in the '60s.
THE 1960s PEOPLE!!!
Then he went on to be a successful manager in the 1980s, as what?
A sterotype gimmick as an Asian, who wore a Charlie Chaplin outfit and hit people with his cane and threw powder in opponents faces.
So for every group who has raised an eyebrow or made a stink at WWE for something outlandish.
(The Al Snow head toy in Wal-Mart)
The Bulemics of the world who thought Mankind's finisher mocked bullemic's finger in the mouth to vomit move
I say this to everyone.
How about the Asians?
Maybe one day WWE can find and promote a talent of Asian descent and make them a world champion.
God only knows they havent done anything other then humilate Asians so far.
Oh sure they have Ricky Steamboat working for WWE, but what are they doing with him?
Having him train and help other wrestlers.
Until the day when there's a WWE Asian star, I'll have to continue to remember Ricky The Dragon Steamboat as he climbed the ropes and did a flying bodypress onto Macho Man Randy Savage.
And how his hand was raised in the Pontiac Silver Dome infront of 93,000 people being announced as the new Intercontinetal Champion.















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