For viewers of DDT (Dramatic Dream Team) Wrestling, their star performer leaving the company is sorrowful news. Jiro Kuroshio has been one of the most popular wrestlers in all of Japan for a few years now, often ranking up with talent like Kazuchika Okada & Kota Ibushi in fan polls when asked who their favorites are. How well will he do stateside? That is yet to be seen.
Jiro Kuroshio Leaving His Comfort Zone
In his announcement that he would be leaving DDT, he had this to say “I must step out of my comfort zone, so I’m going to scurry away to the States, and I don’t plan to come back to Japan”. He is putting all his chips up on the table, and going to make a huge push to become the biggest star he possibly can be.
His gimmick might not hit as well with western audiences, which could hamper his success initially. His gimmick is that of an “Ikeman”, as takes a lot from the ikemen characters in J-dramas. Think gentle, effeminate, wholesome pretty boys who dote on people and are way too patient with the lead character. I guess they’re kind of like the inverse of the bad boys of the genre. It is a gimmick tailor made for Japan, but his insane charisma should help him get over wherever he lands.
What Will His Destination Be? WWE NXT or AEW?
When it comes to wrestling in the United States right now, there are two places talent want to be. That being WWE’s most popular and consitent brand of NXT, or the newly formed All Elite Wrestling. I could see Jiro landing in either company.
NXT is the biggest stage he can go to at this point, as being a part of WWE means eventually he will be given massive exposure to the wrestling world if he makes it to shows like Wrestlemania or the Royal Rumble. WWE has the highest of highs a wrestler can dream to achieve, but also some of the lowest of lows. If his character and personality is mishandled, it would cast a shadow over his career which he will have to overcome. He has reportedly had a try out with NXT, so for all we know, ink could have already met paper on a deal.
AEW on the other hand, doesn’t have as big a stage to offer just yet, but they’ve been on the rise. They have built up some good will with fans in properly representing talent so far, see Darby Allin as a great example of this. It also doesn’t hurt that AEW has a partnership of sorts with DDT, with talent like Kenny Omega & Micheal Nakazawa being alumni of the company, and Kenny having worked some major shows for them recently.
Jiro has the potential to be a massive star in North America, and I look forward to many more fans knowing exactly who he is. I hope wherever he chooses to call home, he succeeds and his leaving Japan isn’t viewed as a mistake. He is taking a huge risk, but hard work will make it pay off in the end.
