Kana Signing Shows WWE's Commitment to International Wrestling, Women's Division

This week, World Wrestling Entertainment officially announced the signing of Japanese star Kanako Urai, known to millions of fans as Kana, on WWE.com. The signing of the performer further demonstrated WWE's continued commitment to both international and women's wrestling.

Kana made her in-ring debut in 2004 and spent the next decade-plus developing into one of the premiere women's wrestlers in the world. Her strong style of work fit Japan, where ring work is much more physical and snug than in the United States.

In 2011, the internationally recognized performer made her debut for independent promotion SHIMMER Women Athletes. There, she gained her first exposure in America, introducing herself and her style of work to an audience unfamiliar with her many accomplishments overseas.

One person paying close attention to Kana and her exploits both in Japan and in the states was Triple H, who has taken his role as Executive Vice President of Talent very seriously, bringing in talent from all over the world to strengthen the WWE roster.

For anyone who has watched a single episode of NXT on the WWE Network, it is crystal clear that the COO takes women's wrestling far more seriously than anyone ever has in the McMahon family's sports entertainment empire.

He made legitimate stars out of Bayley, Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch by letting them ply their craft and develop their characters. He gave them time to steal the show, and they repaid his confidence in them with legitimate Match of the Year candidates.

By bringing in a worker such as Kana, who has experience and international recognition, Triple H is again proving that he will stop at nothing to continue supplying NXT with the best talent possible. He has repeatedly reached outside of the United States to attract talent.

Current NXT champion Finn Balor is from Ireland, Hideo Itami is from Japan and Kalisto is a native of Mexico. He has also been willing to put ego aside and attract some of the most recognizable independent talent, including Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Neville and Samoa Joe.

Whereas previous heads of talent relations may have been more focused on former high school and college football players, or bodybuilders with a great look and no wrestling experience, Triple H has opted to seek out those men and women from around the world who have devoted their lives to the sport.

He clearly trusts that he can introduce them to the American audience, develop a character for them that plays to the fans and mold them into stars without having to start from scratch. Thus far, it has proven effective as NXT talent receives tremendous responses, thanks in large part to the trust and respect fans have for them and their previous exploits in the business.

Kana will have every opportunity to succeed. She already has the in-ring work down and will prove effective when it comes to promoting overseas. Like Balor, Itami and Kalisto, she will have a distinct impact on how the company is received by fans in international markets.

Like Lynch, Charlotte and Banks, she will carry on NXT's tradition of promoting women's wrestling as every bit as serious, credible and legitimate as men's wrestling.

As Triple H continues to grow into his current role, he will continue reaching outside of Vince McMahon's previous comfort zone for new, interesting, experienced stars that will only add to the company's wealth of talent and solidify its status as the most diverse roster in the industry.

And in the process, he will earn the respect of the audience for his ability to see beyond borders and promote and develop talent from around the globe, regardless of gender.