WWE signs Kenzo Suzuki

[Guest StevieNightHeat]

We have just received word that one of Japan's biggest stars, Kenzo Suzuki has signed a three year deal with WWE and should be working the SmackDown! brand.

 

Suzuki was a former rugby player before entering wrestling in 2000 with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He left new Japan and went to work for Riki Choshu in World Japan. On June 18th of this year, he wrestled on an NWA:TNA PPV broadcast, fighting Perry Saturn to a no contest.

 

Suzuki worked a dark match on October 21st at the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Raw taping. He worked the next night in Albany, NY at the SmackDown! tapings and really impressed WWE officials.

 

Although we don't have this confirmed just yet, word out of Japan is that Suzuki has earned himself a contract offer.

 

wrestlingexposed.com

 

Who is Kenzo Suzuki? and I bet he joins Tajiri's stable when he debuts on Smackdown!

[justsoyouknow 0]

[MrRant 0]

If you don't know who he is why are you saying "Sweet"?

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Yay, I'm so excited. Wait, I actually am.

Edited October 31, 2003 by Voloyda

[Guest webmasterofwrestlegame]

Erm, he's not the greatest wrestler, is he?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Sucks would be a good description.

[Vern Gagne 0]

If you don't know who he is why are you saying "Sweet"?

He's Japanese he must be good...

 

Any other source besides Wrestlingexposed.com?

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

This guy is TERRIBLE.

 

He worked the TNA anniversarry show.

 

Just plain AWEFUL.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

From Dames' review of his performance:

 

"This is actually the first time I’ve ever seen someone from Japan stink the ring up like this."

[Guest ligerbomb03]

SOURCE: http://www.puroresupower.com

 

If you're hearing word that Kenzo Suzuki is about to get a multi-year contract from WWE, it's because he did an interview this week in Weekly Pro magazine that fueled the flames for it. I know there's little morality in the wrestling business, but for McMahon to hire a guy who's in the middle of a criminal investigation regarding the death of someone during a session in WJ Pro's wrestling school, that takes some major balls. Not only that, Suzuki's not a very good worker. It would be ironic if Suzuki became part of the Yakuza group. On many levels.

[Guest Nanks]

Oh ripper, that's fantastic. Oh wait, no it isn't, this guy's fucking woeful. Just watch Vince actually use this Japanese guy while Ultimo is stuck in Velocity hell.

[iliketurtles 0]

This guys is BORING as fuck. I hope all they use for him is in the Mafia angle.

[Cuban Linx 0]

He'll naturally get a bigger push than every talented asian cruiserweight wrestler the WWE has ever had combined, despite being a heap of shit in the ring.

[Guest JacK]

Wow, he sucked! I mean, even though he was with Perry Saturn, the match was TERRIBLE. He nearly killed himself I think I recall doing a spear and/or some other move.

 

Well, if he just stands there and looks big, it won't be so bad.

 

Edit: And I'm an unashamed TNA mark, I'll cheer for almost anything they do.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Well, you DO have to keep in mind that Saturn was a bit unwilling to work with Suzuki as well (And does that surprise ANYONE who knows a bit about Saturn?), but yeah, it's hilarious that the WWE's going to sign THIS guy as opposed to an actual talented worker.

[dubq 0]

So much for staying loyal to his mentor [Choshu] in World Japan...

 

StrongStyleSpirit says...

 

Suzuki was a major rugby football star before joining New Japan, representing his country and competing at club level in Great Britain.

 

Something tells me that this was JR's idea...

 

If they wanted talent they should have went after Tanahashi..

[Guest Dave O'Neill, Journalist]

About the Saturn non-job. There was politics involved there, as Saturn is New Japan, and this guy is on the NJ Blacklist.

 

But, yeah, allegedly he sucks ass

[Mecha Mummy 0]

About the Saturn non-job. There was politics involved there, as Saturn is New Japan, and this guy is on the NJ Blacklist.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Anyone seen Suzuki outside of that match?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I saw him on the 1/4/00 Tokoyo Dome show against Nakanishi and while he got squashed he still looked like crap.

 

Relies too heavily on the spear.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

He's pretty shat, but in fairness he only debuted in 2000. He is tall (especially for a Japanese wrestler) and has the sort of look that Vince likes. He should be fine as a bodyguard type thing for Tajiri.

[Guest Markingout]

He is horrible I saw him live at MLW. Argh,he is so boring. So bland. No chrisma.

[Grenouille 0]

I saw him on the 1/4/00 Tokoyo Dome show against Nakanishi and while he got squashed he still looked like crap.

 

Relies too heavily on the spear.

That was his debut match. Suzuki as a singles wrestler sucks, unless he's carried. His best stuff was in NJPW in tags since he was in the ring for short spurts that wouldn't expose him.

[AndrewTS 0]

So, why did they sign this guy? Is he a Japanese hoss?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Basically.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

So, why did they sign this guy? Is he a Japanese hoss?

Bingo!

[AndrewTS 0]

Oh, okay. Now it makes sense--in WWE logic, at least.

 

His skill would be approximate to who currently?

Edited October 31, 2003 by AndrewTS

[LooseCannon25 0]

This guy is pretty damn poor in the ring. I saw him in TNA, and the Tokyo Dome show.....ugh, no charisma, no excitement. He's the japanese version of OVW.

[Ultra Violence 0]

I was told, by my puro geek friends, he is a good wrestler. Apparently he sucked on TNA, but normally puts on ***+ matches.

[Lei Tong 0]

Good wrestler?

 

Let's say this... as a wrestler, he makes a good rugby player.

 

From what I've seen, I'd agree with the sentiment that the only time he was watchable his own was during his time tagging with Tanahashi.

[SamoaRowe 0]

Based on the TNA match, this was a horrible choice. Out of all the talented unsigned workers in the U.S. and Japan, they choose to bring this guy in...awful... with all these Japanese workers coming in, WWE had better make good use of this Japanese Mafia angle.