Why WWE Never Signed Kenta Kobashi Revealed

Jim Ross just dropped a big truth bomb about why WWE never landed Japanese legend Kenta Kobashi, and it all came down to something you don’t hear often: logistics. While WWE was definitely interested, JR admitted the roadblocks were just too big to overcome.

During Grilling JR, Ross confirmed Kobashi was very much on WWE’s radar during his time as Head of Talent Relations. But getting the Japanese icon to commit was nearly impossible due to his long-standing ties back home.

“Oh yeah, absolutely. Uh you can’t uh overlook great talent and when they become available if they’re healthy and all the… the table’s somewhat level for this crazy business. Uh you gotta look at them. So, heck yeah, we looked at him.”

But JR then broke down the real reason WWE never pulled the trigger:

“Some of these established Japanese stars have such deep obligations and deep roots in Japan, it’s just hard to get many dates on them. And if you can’t follow up on the television that you invest in them, uh it’s a somewhat of a failed prophecy.”

That wasn’t the only international star JR had thoughts on. He went on to reflect on WWE’s treatment of Shinsuke Nakamura, saying that while Nakamura had all the tools, the company never gave him the full platform to succeed. Ross believes that pairing Nakamura with Paul Heyman could’ve changed everything.

“Paul Heyman with anybody makes that somebody better — simple. And he would have done in this occasion he would have done the same thing. So, uh, yeah, Paul Heyman with any talent and Paul could have collaborated with Shinsuke and they could produce some great results.”

He also told Triple H years ago that Nakamura didn’t need to speak English to get over — he had that feeling that fans could connect with.

“I said, you’ll feel the crowd will feel him and he will feel them. He’s got that old school ability to do that. And that intrigued Triple H.”

Jim Ross knows how wrestling politics and timing work better than anyone. And hearing this kind of insight into how close Kobashi came — and how Nakamura might’ve broken through the ceiling with a better presentation — is the kind of peek behind the curtain fans crave.

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