Ultimo Dragon in WWE

[Guest HBK16]

Although it is good news over in the WWE folder I think its bad news. He's a legend, and possibly the best junior in Japan, ever. WWE won't respect him at all. They will give him 2, 3 minute opening matches and make him loose against guys like Jeff. I will seriously send explosives in the mail to the WWE if they ruin him or even change his name back to Ultimate Dragon.

[Guest DragonflyKid]

If he wrestles in the America's I would rather he wrestle for CMLL. I agree he wouldn't be respected and the time and moveset limitations of the WWE would likely lead to disappointment in those who think a returning Ultimo Dragon will blow their minds like he used to.

 

It would probably be a mark out moment if/when he makes his WWE debut but if he is misused as he almost would certainly would be the excitment will quickly fade away and the bitterness creep in

[Guest PlatypusFool]

There is, of course, one small thing which everyone seems to be forgetting about... HE RUNS HIS OWN PROMOTION(S), he cannot stay in the WWE for more than a few weeks!

 

I'd HATE to see him in the WWE anyway, he'd probly have a good match or two and then he'd be down shit creek again, even if this was ever actually going to happen.

[Guest TheHulkster]

If he is on Smackdown, I can't see Heyman letting such an incredibly talented guy not look great. He's done a great job with Rey Misterio, he's done a good job with Noble, He's done a good job of keeping Benoit, Angle, and Guerrero near the top of the Smackdown roster since they came to Smackdown, he has done a good job with Lesnar despite Taker taking every opprotunity to get himself over, he's done a pretty good job of trying to get Funaki over, and his writing and booking have done great things for Edge. I just can't see him dropping the ball with Dragon considering they will probably pay him a good chunk of change to come over from Japan/Mexico and the fact that he is one of the greatest light heavyweights that have ever lived.

[EL DANDY~! 0]

I totally agree with Hulkster. A guy like Dragon can't be under-utilized. It has to be known that he is NOT somebody like TAKA or Funaki who can simply get over on a comedy gimmick alone. He gets over like the trinity and Angle, as a guy who WRESTLES hard and earns respect.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Guys, this is ridiculous. Good job with Funaki? Good job with Noble? At least no one tried to bring up Tajiri as another case of "work-rate friendly WWE."

 

They know nothing about juniors, how the division should work, and how to build them up. Dragon will be crapped on, most likely, and even if he's protected in the junior ranks, it won't mean anything since juniors are worthless in the WWE, save maybe Rey, who's playing the ill-fated "small guy in a big men's world" character that should last him, oh, another two months.

 

And has anyone here actually seen Ultimo work since his return? For all the talk of "getting over by wrestling" one has to wonder how good Dragon is at this stage, even without the conflicting interest of working "WWE style."

 

Stupid.

[Guest New World Order of Wrestling]

Jamie Noble has done fine for himself for being in the WWE. The only minus for him is that he hasn't worked the last few PPVs. Regardless, he has held the title for a long time, had some good matches, and substantial time on Smackdown. I gaurentee that Noble would not be one to complain about his situation, unlike guys like Kidman, Tajiri, and Moore - guys who have been misused.

[Guest TheHulkster]

I don't like the idea of WWE running a Junior division to begin with because they have never been good at it, and I doubt they ever will be. It would be nice to see their speed and high flying moves sold as an advantage they have and a trait they have to counter the more powerful guys. They seem to be doing this with Rey Misterio and it has really gotten over. Chavo has been working mainly heavyweight matches lately as well along with Funaki. Rey has a very good chance of being the spark that breaks down that barrier that has been built up over the years between guys under 225lbs and guys that are over. While not as many as Rey, a lot of American wrestling fans are familiar with Ultimo Dragon, and I could see him being another breakthrough light heavyweight if he's physically capable. I don't see why he wouldn't be, the guy is a natural athlete and is still fairly young. If his bum shoulder was still that much of a major issue that it would severely affect his ringwork, he probably wouldn't come back in the first place.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Noble has held a meaningless title and done jobs to EVERYONE under 225 pounds, despite never getting a chance to regain his heat via a title match because the WWE refuses to give Cruisers time on pay per view.

 

As for Dragon, there have been plenty of guys over the years who have come back despite being shells of their former selves, and this could be another case. Dragon wasn't half the star in WCW that Rey was, as he ended up doing jobs to Alex Wright and Yuji Nagata by the end of the year, while Rey became a star despite all the crap that he was booked with.

 

Rey's possition is hardly a stable one; the WWE has pushed plenty of small guys to contrast their bigger performers many times before, and none of them have lasted very long.

[Guest goodhelmet]

i have to agree with RC on this point. personally, i don't want to see Ultimo return at all. sure, nostalgia is calling and we want to see the UD who put on great matches in '95 and '96 but the simple fact is we'll all probably just be disappointed. you can see it happening with flair now. you want to root him on but you know it is time for him to just go away. now UD is not 60 years old or whatever, but the basic premise is the same... some guys should just stay retired.