Guest Cataclysm911 Report post Posted June 6, 2002 You want a new Funaki gimmick? I got one.. Tiger Mask V Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Dude, it's a race thing. I was just watching WM 9 today (do NOT ask why) and Todd Cole was up in the stands and he asked the Japanese Photographers what did they think aboot the 2 doinks Stereotypical Japanese Photographer #1: Ah, uh, ah, Yokozuna... Stereotypical Japanese Photographer #2: AHAHAHAHAHAHHA! Yokozuna AHAHAHAHAHAHAH Funakis series of matches on METAL with Saturn ruled the world. I do not call that 'nothing'. There has been a long and storied history of discrimination against japanese people in the Wwf. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Further Proof of the WWF Screwing Over the Japanese: Remember when Tajiri was over? I mean really over? More over than half the roster? Remember how quick the WWF was to bury him after a couple of months? Remember? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest art_vandelay Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Wow, I'm surprised and glad that so many of you like the idea. Unfortunately, that fact alone will probably mean that this will never happen. A couple things: But this thread advocates Funaki throwing Shawn Michaels through a plate glass window and becoming the new HBK. Thats crazy talk. You do that sort of thing with people who are already awesome and need a little push in the right direction. Not an undercard guy who hasn't really had a memorable match since The Oddities beat Kaientai. I agree. I was thinking of this more as a simple parody gimmick much like the Goldust/Booker vignettes right now. Not for Funaki to main event. I don't think Michaels and Funaki should interact that much at all either, except maybe for a backstage segment at a PPV. My perception of the "Shawn Michaels" character is that he really wouldn't give a shit what Funaki is doing, much less befriending him. Parody gimmicks, IMO, are only suited for short-term, comedic, babyface runs. I have a feeling this gimmick would get old in a little under 5 months at the most, depending on how much exposure he'd receive. Gillberg was able to last over that amount of time because 1) Goldberg was very hot and 2) He made appearances sparingly. Rest assured, Funaki won't be main eventing anything besides Velocity. Further Proof of the WWF Screwing Over the Japanese: Remember when Tajiri was over? I mean really over? More over than half the roster? Remember how quick the WWF was to bury him after a couple of months? Remember? Dude, it's a race thing. I honestly believe it has more to do with whether a person can speak fluent English or not, rather than anything racial. With that being said, there are definitely many many ways a person can get over with the crowd without even speaking a word of English. I fault the WWE for not at least attempting those routes. Well, I guess they've attempted before, but they never kept going with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 6, 2002 I honestly believe it has more to do with whether a person can speak fluent English or not, rather than anything racial. Oh, I don't doubt that. It just so happens that those poor English speakers happen to be Japanese. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RicFlairGlory Report post Posted June 6, 2002 I honestly believe it has more to do with whether a person can speak fluent English or not, rather than anything racial. Oh, I don't doubt that. It just so happens that those poor English speakers happen to be Japanese. Please, would you have a Benoit go to France and try to cut a promo? If they cant speak the language it isnt discrimination, its whats good for buisness. Not Vinces fault that Funaki wont take English classes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Please, would you have a Benoit go to France and try to cut a promo? If they cant speak the language it isnt discrimination, its whats good for buisness. Not Vinces fault that Funaki wont take English classes MY initial point was that Tajiri was very over in spite of his lack of fluency in English. Then, for whatever reason, he was turned into just another jobber. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RicFlairGlory Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Please, would you have a Benoit go to France and try to cut a promo? If they cant speak the language it isnt discrimination, its whats good for buisness. Not Vinces fault that Funaki wont take English classes MY initial point was that Tajiri was very over in spite of his lack of fluency in English. Then, for whatever reason, he was turned into just another jobber. I met tajiri, and he is completely in-fluent Difference between Funaki and Tajiri, is Tajiri's character screams "HEEL!!" where Funaki's shouts "13 yeeah ol boi" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest art_vandelay Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Not Vinces fault that Funaki wont take English classes Well, in this case, perfect English isn't required. In fact, his poor English would be an advantage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Difference between Funaki and Tajiri, is Tajiri's character screams "HEEL!!" where Funaki's shouts "13 yeeah ol boi" Well, whatever, but that doesn't adequately explain Tajiri's burial, especially since he was very over as a face. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted June 6, 2002 So are we saying that just because a wrestler cannot speak English he and his culture should be mocked and stereotyped in a very insulting manner? TAKA got over w/o speaking english. Mutoh did too. Hell, Yokozuna didn't say a single word of it and they put the belt on him (oh wait, he is an american...my bad) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest areacode212 Report post Posted June 6, 2002 Incadenza is right. Tajiri was really over as a babyface without speaking any English aside from a few comedy bits mocking Storm and Booker. He had a certain "badass" aura that didn't really require any promo time. All he had to do was go out there and kick the shit out of his opponent, and he would receive huge pops and "ECW" chants. Then he started jobbing to guys like Billy Gunn (or was it Chuck?), and turned into a Chauvenist Japanese Heel who oppressed his pretty American girlfriend. Now he's just some loser who got dumped by his girlfriend. As for the "Funaki throws HBK through the mirror" idea, it was just something I threw out to go along with art_vandelay's idea; I don't really care about Funaki per se, but still, if *anyone* (Funaki, Stevie Richards, whoever) were to get a "Heartbreak Kid 2002" gimmick and the WWF was intent on pushing them, I think throwing Michaels through a mirror would be a cool idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 6, 2002 If none of those ideas work, then I say they replace Michael Cole with Funaki on Smackdown. Funaki & Tazz = Ratings Baby!!!!!! Hey, can't make out what Cole says anyway, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 7, 2002 I almost fell outa my chair lauging at this. I made s wank FNK Funaki in No mercy, maybe I'll put a photo of it up soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest art_vandelay Report post Posted June 7, 2002 I almost fell outa my chair lauging at this. I made s wank FNK Funaki in No mercy, maybe I'll put a photo of it up soon. OMG, please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 7, 2002 I have a new gimmick for Mark Henry.. He retires Pretty cool huh? Now why arn't i on the damn writing team? This has been the Taker Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 7, 2002 Everyone liked INDEED~. Then Kai En Tai dissapeared. They could have been Tag Champs with the heat/pops they had. Funaki = HBK 2k2! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AnnieEclectic Report post Posted June 7, 2002 I would so mark out for FNK. Honestly, I nearly shat myself reading this, plus I don't think the WWE would have to worry about people protesting with racial comments, because *I'll* defend them. Bitchy, half-japanese feminist, defending the WWE. Can't fight with that. -Archan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
