(The following assumes Shinsuke Nakamura does in fact, officially sign with WWE. For more on the story, read Sean's article from last night concerning his contract status and a potential time frame.)
Over the past few days, I've had a fun time with friends speculating on how WWE creative will look at Shinsuke Nakamura. I'd explain who he is, but if you're a Cagesider and you don't know, this probably isn't the article for you.
I've laughed a lot at the thought of every member of the production team sitting down and watching Nakamura footage, attempting to understand his facial expressions, comprehend what the hell "YeaOh" is, figuring out his attire, his entrance, the crown, the style...in short, everything that makes him the transcendent figure he's become.
I joked with one colleague that it would turn into Lord of the Flies, where everyone in creative would forget to eat, sleep, or the use the restroom, and desks would be set on fire as chaos emerged and a new society began. Guys wearing neckties as headbands while sobbing uncontrollably after watching his Wrestle Kingdom 10 pre-match routine. Women unsure of themselves, just trying to avoid doing unspeakable things with ballpoint pens, melting laptops and tablets for warmth. "What... who... what is this person?"
Remember, this is World Wrestling Entertainment, where the only time "wrestling" comes before "entertainment" is in the company name. They've never had a performer like Shinsuke before, and likely never will again. He's an unknown quantity for the masses in America, who are accustomed to vanilla, cookie cutter characters, working formulaic, "all the same" style matches. This bruh is going to be one hell of a culture shock on the main roster.
My questions move from how WWE will see him, to what his future might be within the company. Nakamura can get himself over, no doubt, but when he's a part of a hierarchy that makes virtually every key decision external of match quality, how much freedom will he have? More importantly, will he be happy? He's used to a certain business lifestyle.
Think about your favorite Nakamura matches or tendencies and ask yourself whether you see THAT in WWE. If you do, please enlighten me how that will work on Monday Night RAW, where Michael Cole and JBL are calling the action. One thing that Shinsuke benefited from in Japan was how odd the culture there is (at least compared to what most of us are used to), particularly when it comes to entertainment, to music, to what's acceptable on television and in motion pictures. It's strange stuff, and Nakamura is about as eccentric as it gets. He fit, precisely because it looked like he didn't. #SocialOutcast to another level.
WWE treats "eccentric" like curtain-jerker, comic relief, or 50-50 booked at best. Shinsuke Nakamura has to be Shinsuke Nakamura. That's why it's always been so captivating as an act. Tatsu called him the "Japanese Michael Jackson." He's Mick Jagger in a wrestling ring. He's Freddie Mercury down an entrance ramp. Then the bell rings, and he's a killer. He's Joe Namath with Tom Brady's clutch gene. He's Dennis Rodman with a brain and MJ's skill.
I adore the guy. His matches are must see, every single time. Last year's war with Kota Ibushi was my 2015 Match of the Year. The Tokyo Dome bout with AJ Styles may well be my choice in eleven months for 2016.
My concern is whether or not most American wrestling fans will "get" who and what Shinsuke Nakamura is, and fully grasp what a valuable talent they're watching. I have no questions about AJ Styles, nor Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows. Those roles make sense. Those guys make sense. But Nakamura seemed to be the signing most designed to HURT New Japan, rather than help World Wrestling Entertainment.
It sounds like a slight on Shinsuke, but it's not. I just look at that guy and think, if there's one dude who doesn't seem to be WWE, it's him. And so, I ponder how long Shinsuke Nakamura stays with WWE. I hope it works like gangbusters and he's given a real opportunity and shows out every night and has the best possible outcome. But, my early belief is we'll see him at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in 2018, when the culture clash doesn't pan out correctly.
How many Japanese stars have really ever gotten equal treatment in the states, particularly those who were stars overseas before jumping onto the McMahon radar? Look at Hideo Itami. I'm not sure he's fully adapted as of yet, and even without the injury, it was a work in progress. Here, we have a star in his late 30s, who knows that gimmick inside and out, but translating that character to WWE creative, who then has to find an appropriate spot for it in the shuffle, that's a scary thought. And asking him to change would be the most insulting thing imaginable.
I'm uneasy because I love the idea of having Nakamura in this country, available to go see and obviously to watch frequently on television. If it's a dream of his, I love that he has the chance to live out that fantasy. I love the optimistic view that American fans will fall for him the same way NJPW die-hards have over the years. He's so immensely gifted, so charismatic, such a wonderful attraction, that I can't help but worry how it gets jacked up in the hands of those who haven't seen what I've seen, what you've seen, what wrestlers worldwide have seen.
If Daniel Bryan was in that room, I'd have more faith. But I saw Taka and Funaki, Tajiri, and everybody else. I would hate to discover that WWE just wanted to keep Nakamura off NJPW shows, thereby hurting a rival's international appeal, rather than simply recognizing a potential game-changing superstar before it was too late.
WWE Network launched in Japan over the past few days as well. Perhaps he becomes the Great Khali for a new market, but one that can work and perform in mesmerizing fashion. Maybe that's enough.
I know WWE is a global brand, even though I've referred to America numerous times throughout this piece. How they utilize stars, however, generally stays within our borders, at least respective to long-term money.. Wade Barrett is one of the best talkers in the company and can't get mic time. Sheamus gets to speak, but I don't think that's for Ireland's benefit. The local fanbase is still the focus.
In no way can Shinsuke Nakamura be the superstar he was for Jado and Gedo, because he's not "the guy" in this country. We'll see if he keeps his name. We'll find out whether he's treated as he should. We'll know soon enough whether I'm just paranoid, or whether this was indeed a "stick it to 'em" kind of move.
Shinsuke deserves the very best.
So does his audience.
Therefore, his audience deserves him.
But, does WWE realize it? Or better yet...
Do they care?