5 Greatest WWE Superstars from Japan

#4. WWE part-timer and all-time great, Antonio Inoki

If this list were to rank the best wrestlers from Japan and not just the best WWE Superstars, Antonio Inoki might very well be ranked #1. This is only because Inoki was never a full-time performer in WWE. Although his appearances were infrequent, they were very memorable. Inoki was so impactful that he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.

Inoki was a special attraction during live events at Madison Square Garden over the years but his main matches against high level performers were in Japan. One of his fiercest opponents was Stan Hansen. The two had memorable feuds during Hansen’s trips to Japan. Inoki also faced off with Andre the Giant in Japan on several occasions. Long before Hulk Hogan made it famous, Inoki was known for body slamming Andre.

Perhaps Inoki’s most famous opponents in Japan were boxing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and WWE champion Bob Backlund. Ali famously admitted to the pain in his legs following his boxer vs. wrestler match with Inoki that was broadcast worldwide. Inoki defeated Backlund in 1979 to win the WWE Championship. WWE never recognized the title change and Backlund earned his title back days later.

Antonio Inoki founded the famous New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1972 and has become a major political figure in Japan. Inoki’s place in WWE is also secured as one of the all-time greats to ever perform.

#3. WWE’s female Japanese champion, Asuka

After spending eight years honing her craft in Japan, Asuka signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2015 and quickly shot through the ranks. Asuka remains one of the best female superstars on the roster and is a multi-time champion on NXT, SmackDown and RAW. Asuka was the longest reigning singles champion in NXT history and carried an undefeated streak onto the main roster.

Once on the main roster, Asuka became a main attraction on WWE’s RAW brand. She was the lone survivor at her first WWE Survivor Series event and would go on to win the RAW Women’s Title at the Royal Rumble vs. Alexa Bliss. Her undefeated streak would finally come to an end after 914 days at WrestleMania when she submitted to Charlotte Flair. Asuka was soon after drafted to SmackDown.

On SmackDown, Asuka would find even more success as a singles star. She initially feuded with Carmella, but was unable to defeat her for the SmackDown Women's title. She was eventually put in a triple-threat match against Charlotte and Becky Lynch for the SmackDown title. This time Asuka would come out on top and win the title, following which she held it for 100 days. Asuka then moved back to RAW and earned another title run after winning WWE’s Money in the Bank.

Asuka already has a decorated career in WWE. She has already become the third WWE women’s triple crown winner and just the 2nd WWE women’s grand slam champion. Still in her prime, there is more to come for the Empress of Tomorrow.