When Will KENTA Make His In-Ring NXT Debut?

- It is expected that KENTA will make his NXT in-ring debut at the NXT tapings on Friday. As previously reported, he will appear at the Takeover special but won't be in the ring. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that there is talk that Ric Flair will be linked with KENTA on the NXT special in some fashion.

KENTA is said to be putting forth an effort to show he understands that there's more to being in WWE that being a good wrestler. He did an interview at a recent show in complete English, showing that he's been studying which is something that the original Sin Cara never did.

WWE is hoping that as a top Japanese guy, KENTA will help boost merchandise sales and WWE Network subscriptions in the Japanese market. 

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?fref=nf

Ric Flair to introduce new signee at Takeover II

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is scheduled to introduce new WWE/NXT Performance Center signee KENTA (a/k/a Kenta Kobayashi) in the ring during the Takeover II live special on the WWE Network on September 11.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?fref=nf

KENTA's Company Makes Deal With WWE

- PARCO stores, which is KENTA's endorsement company, has signed a deal to produce and sell t-shirts and merchandise for WWE. They will be making products based on past stars such as the nWo, Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage. The deal begins on September 1st.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews

KENTA Debuting in NXT Soon

- According to the Wrestling Observer, there was discussion of putting KENTA on camera at the NXT tapings on Thursday. KENTA and Fergal Devitt were both backstage at the tapings, but the idea was scrapped and they kept them off-screen.

It's worth noting that previous reports had him debuting this fall and that WWE's next NXT tapings take place on September 12th, the night after the NXT Takeover 2 live show

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?ref_type=bookmark

Details on KENTA Possibly Having to Change His Move Set in WWE

There is speculation that KENTA's move set will have to change after he debuts in WWE. Some of KENTA's signature moves were previously adapted in the WWE, including: the Go To Sleep, which is KENTA's finishing move, and CM Punk used the move before he left. According to the report, the move will have to change because WWE will not want to remind fans of Punk. KENTA also uses the Busaiku knee, which Daniel Bryan used before his injury. His submission move, Game Over, is the same as Daniel Bryan's Yes Lock as well.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?ref_type=bookmark

KENTA Hired With WWE Network Expansion in Mind?

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, part of the reason (though certainly not the only reason) that WWE signed KENTA is that they plan to expand the WWE Network into Japan next year and wanted a big Japanese star. KENTA will fit that bill not only for the network but for NXT, where he will report to initially. WWE just signed a deal with J-Sports to air NXT in Japan.

KENTA is scheduled to arrive in Orlando, Florida this week, with another press conference scheduled then.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?ref_type=bookmark

WWE NXT Updates: Taping Dates, KENTA

During a press conference over the weekend, KENTA said that he is currently working on relocating to Orlando for NXT. He also said that no problems with WWE changing his ring name if that is what they want, that he is working on his English and that he will be happy to start at the bottom to make his name in WWE.

- Here is the updated schedule for NXT taping TV at Full Sail University…

July 17th

August 25th

September 11th

September 25th

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?ref_type=bookmark

KENTA Signs with WWE NXT

The following was issued by WWE on Saturday morning.

WWE® SIGNS JAPANESE STAR KENTA TO NXT®

STAMFORD, Conn., July 12, 2014 – WWE (NYSE:WWE) today announced it has signed Kenta, one of Japan’s biggest stars, to its NXT division. The announcement took place during a signing ceremony at a WWE Live Event in Osaka, Japan with WWE icon and Hall of Famer, Hulk Hogan presiding.

Kenta’s intense and straight forward in-ring style has led to his success in Japan, as well as during visits to the U.S. He is expected to reach new heights of global success with WWE.

“Kenta is an incredible performer who brings the crowd to its feet when he steps into the ring”, said Paul Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent, Creative and Live Events, WWE. “WWE’s signing of Kenta reflects our continued dedication to creating a diverse roster that appeals to our global fan base.”

“I am humbled to join WWE’s NXT division and look forward to honing my craft with the global leader in sports entertainment,” said Kenta.

Kenta will relocate to Orlando, Florida where he will train at WWE’s state-of-the-art Performance Center to enhance his talents both athletically and creatively.

Opinionated View- I assume the reason he is going to NXT is they don't want another Sin Cara a big international star that comes in a botches. Of course I would also say sending him to NXT will remove a lot of things that make him a outstanding talent. 

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?ref_type=bookmark

Big WWE Signing Expected to be Announced Next Month

Tokyo Sports in Japan is reporting that WWE will officially announce that former Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA has signed with the company during their tour of Japan next month with a press conference on 7/12.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?fref=nf

Updates on the WWE Statuses of KENTA, Prince Devitt, Willie Mack & Kevin Steen

- Willie Mack and Kevin Steen are currently going through the WWE background check. Once that is complete, they will then be scheduled to go their medical testing. And once that is complete, and if they have passed, they will then officially be offered their deal from the company. 

- At this time, KENTA, Prince Devitt and Kevin Steen are expected to be coming to Orlando in August. There could be delays between work VIASA, medicals, or other issues that sometimes pop up during the process.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?fref=nf

WWE Reportedly Re-Hires Sakamoto

Japanese wrestler Sakamoto has reportedly been re-signed by WWE. He was last seen as an assistant for Tensai and was released in May 2013. He was at last night's NXT event in Orlando and has been in the area for days.

There are some who claim that Sakamoto was brought in to help translate for KENTA when he arrives. However, this should be taken as just a rumor as it's not 100% confirmed that KENTA will even debut for WWE. 

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews

Japanese Community Shocked By KENTA Leaving Pro Wrestling NOAH

The Japanese wrestling community is in shock that KENTA has decided to leave Pro Wrestling NOAH. This seems to add fuel to the rumors that he is heading to WWE. KENTA realizes that his body has been banged up after years of wrestling in Japan. If he wants to go to WWE, he knows that the time is now. 

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews

Updates on KENTA and Prince Devitt Going to WWE

- The current belief is that KENTA will go to WWE but nothing will be announced until he finishes with NOAH. He's showing respect to the promotion who "put him on the map". 

- Prince Devitt has finished with New Japan and WWE has had a standing offer to him for a long time. It's still possible that Devitt could end up joining the company and it's not a "dead issue" yet. 

Opinionated View- Both are great talents but I don't know if WWE will use them right. 

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews?fref=nf

Top Japanese Star Possibly Heading to WWE

According to Pwinsider.com, it was announced in Japan that Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA (real name Kenta Kobayashi) would be leaving the promotion. His final appearance will be on May 17th. KENTA spent a week at the WWE Performance Center back in January, training and working out with developmental talents. He downplayed his time there, noting that it was something he wanted to do because he had a break in his schedule.

KENTA wrote the following in a blog entry…

"It is indeed true that I have always been yearning for a spot in WWE, and I've always wanted to give it a try sometime. After all, you only live once. I should have given it a try. I should have chosen another way. I've had those regrets when I was in my middle and high school, and even after I got in to this business. I just did not want to regret later about something I haven't tried, so I used my time off to participate in the WWE workout. The executives were at the workout, so perhaps I may have left a mark."

While nothing has been made official at this time; the feeling is that KENTA has been offered a WWE deal and that is the reason he gave notice to NOAH. KENTA has worked for NOAH for the past 14 years, also making appearances for Ring of Honor during that time

Opinionated View- Because it worked so well for Sin Cara? He's a great talent but I don't think this will end well.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews

KENTA Says He's Not Signing With WWE Right Now

- It was reported earlier this week that KENTA was at the WWE Performance Center, with some reports claiming that the Pro Wrestling NOAH star was trying out for the company. KENTA has posted a blog entry clarifying why he's there and denying that he is trying to get a contract with the company. You can see the full text of the blog below:

I am sorry for having you all confused over the various information about my visit in the US.

As a matter of fact, I am in the States and enjoying the WWE training. But as for now, it's not about getting a tryout or a contract.

It is indeed true that I have always been yearning for a spot in WWE, and I've always wanted to give it a try sometime. After all, you only live once. "I should have given it a try." "I should have chosen another way." I've had those regrets when I was in my middle and high school, and even after I got in to this business. I just did not want to regret later about something I haven't tried, so I used my time off to participate in the WWE workout. The executives were at the workout, so perhaps I may have left a mark.

The place is full of competition and hungry guys. It's not as simple as being good at Puroresu or having strength. There are so many guys with monster physique and guys who are way athletically superior to me. And even they don't get into the big league. That's how tough this place could be. I can easily imagine that surviving in this environment could be severe. And spending a few days in that environment became a really good experience for me.

I'm sorry to have caused the confusion, but one thing I can say for sure is that "I'm glad I came". I would like to work even harder making use of this experience.

And lastly, I would like to thank [NOAH] President [Akira] Taue for letting me take this chance. 

Top Pro Wrestling NOAH Star To Receive WWE Tryout

Mike Johnson is reporting that Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA will be receiving a tryout this week at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. KENTA was NOAH's top champion, the GHC Champion, for a good chunk of 2013 before losing the title recently to Takeshi Morishima. KENTA has also competed in the past for Ring of Honor, last competing for them in 2009. It is said that William Regal made the suggestion to WWE for them to take a look at KENTA. 

Opinionated View- Well he is a very talented wrestler. But I'd worry it just be another Sin Cara situation where they restrict what he's allowed to do. They also would just stick him down in NXT. 

NOAH “GREAT VOYAGE 2013 Results

(1) Opening Match: Hitoshi Kumano vs. Maybach SUWA Jr.
◆Winner: SUWA Jr. (5:58) with a Modified Boston Crab.
(2) Jr.TAG LEAGUE PREVIEW 6 Man Tag Match: Atsushi Kotoge, Zack Sabre Jr. & Kaiser vs. Daisuke Harada, Slex & Pesadilla
◆Winner: Sabre (15:01) with a Modified Arm Bar on Pesadilla.
(3) Encounter of Lone Wolves: Maybach Taniguchi vs. Akitoshi Saito
◆Winner: Taniguchi (7:50) with the Maybach Press.

(4) Shiro Koshinaka’s Return Match: Shiro Koshinaka [Free] & Tatsumi Fujinami [DRADITION] vs. Yoshinari Ogawa & Masao Inoue (free)
◆Winner: Fujinami (10:18) with a Dragon Sleeper on Inoue.

(5) NOAH vs DIAMOND RING Special Single Match: Mohammed Yone vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima
◆Winner: Yone (12:02) following the Muscle Buster.

(6) Street Fight Tornado 6 Man Tag Deathmatch: [NO MERCY] Takashi Sugiura, Yoshihiro Takayama & Genba Hirayanagi vs. [Jado Army] Atsushi Onita, Ichiro Yaguchi & Hideki Hosaka
~ No count-out, no DQ, everything goes (including weapons).
◆Winner: Onita (8:34) with the Thunder Fire Powerbomb on Genba.
~ Onita challenged Sugiura to an Electric Blast Deathmatch.
~ Onita stated at his own show yesterday that he is coming in “to destroy NOAH”, so far he is 1 win and 1 loss in his efforts.

(7) GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: [26th Champion] Taiji Ishimori vs. [Challenger] Super Crazy
◆Winner: Ishimori (14:25) following 2 – 450° Splashes.
~ 5th successful title defense.
~ Zack Sabre Jr. challenged Ishimori after the match.
~ Stated to have been a solid defense for Ishimori.

(8) GHC Tag Championship Match: [28th Champions] “CHOAS” Toru Yano & Takashi Iizuka vs. [Challengers] “TMDK” Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste
◆Winner: Haste (16:26) following the Thunder Valley on Iizuka.
~ Champions fall on their 3rd title defense. Haste and Nicholls become the 29th GHC Tag Champions.
~ Match was stated to be very bloody, but in the end the Australian duo managed to bring the NOAH belts back home to NOAH.

(9) GHC Heavyweight Championship Match: [19th Champion] KENTA vs. [Challenger] Naomichi Marufuji
◆Winner: KENTA (36:42) following the go 2 sleep.
~ 4th successful title defense.
~ Mohammed Yone challenged KENTA for the next defense.

https://www.facebook.com/RealWrestlingNewsAndOpinionatedViews