From: robert@askinc.ask.COM (Robert McMullen)
Subject: Re: Kensuke Sasaki Coming to WCW
Organization: ASK Computer Systems, Inc.
Distribution: world 
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 21:52:26 GMT

In article <Bv81DA.Cw4@acsu.buffalo.edu>, Eric Chmiel writes:

>    There's been some excitement about Backlund's return to the WWF, but for
> my money much more intriguing news comes from WCW.  Tonight on TBS, they
> showed a promotional clip of Kensuke Sasaki and announced that he would be
> coming to WCW soon.  The way they played him up, they gave the impression
> that Sasaki, unlike several other Japanese wrestlers who have come to WCW,
> would be sticking around for awhile and playing a major role in the promotion.

Dave Meltzer has written on a couple occasions that New Japan plans to have
Sasaki in the states for a year (take that with whatever grain of salt you
choose...).  One whole year!!!  A Japanese babyface in a Watts-run WCW for a 
whole year!!!  I'll believe this when I see it.

> They gave him a good push, showing him dominate the Steiners from the match
> from the Eggdome show last year.  I hope this isn't one of those Jushin Liger/

IMHO, he MADE that match because we already had great expectations from the
other three (Hase and the Steiners).

>    [stuff deleted]

>    Not to dig on Backlund returning because I think he was great, but you all
> know as well as I Vince is gonna ruin it for Bob with lame gimmickry, silly

He already tried once if the many rumors about the plans to use Bobby as LOD's
"Rocko-come-to-life" were true.

> angles, and a refusal to let the guy do what he does best: *wrestle*.  If
> Watts doesn't ground him and he sticks around or awhile, I'd be willing to
> bet that Sasaki will give us ten times as many memorable matches in WCW as
> Backlund will in the WWF.  So I'm a little biased; Sasaki is one of my
> favorite wrestlers.  But I still think time will prove me correct on this.

That's a great--albeit tragic--point, Eric!  The thought of a non-gimmicked
many-month Flair-Backlund feud would be a fucking treat all the way, especially
if the matches were even remotely as heated and violent as some of the matches
toward the end of Backlund's reign (ie., vs. Snuka, vs. Adonis, vs. Muraco).
It would be enough to make me watch the WWF again.  Too bad it'll NEVER
HAPPEN, at least the way we want to see it.

What makes it all the more tragic is that you're right--Sasaki will have ten
times as many great matches, but probably against individuals who can't 
wrestle his style, so he'll have to adjust to US style.  And we all know what
happens when that doesn't work out...Pffffffffffffft! Right back to New Japan!

My greatest fear is some stooooooooopid heel ninja gimmick or something (i.e., 
maybe he'll be a "salt-throwing sneak"), but fortunately I didn't get that 
impression from the salute to Kensuke this weekend...

Robert *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
               The opinions expressed in this message in no way
                  reflect those of ASK Computer Systems, Inc.   
                   FLAMES welcome, but highly uncalled for!       
       *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
       "...because there's more to life than making other people die..."
                                                   --Oderus Urungus, GWAR
       *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
       Questions? Comments? Suggestions?  E-Mail to robert@askinc.ask.COM
                       Robert McMullen, Technical Writer
       *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling