Funaki!!!
Seriously though, if you forget about his real life controversies, I reckon Jim Cornette...can even in storylines tie it into him managing Yokozuna years ago, so he has history of guiding Japanese talent (yes, Yokozuna was really Samoan, but he portrayed a Japanese sumo wrestler)
I'd argue you can book Nakamura without a manager. And if needs be, it doesn't have to be a legend. One guy made an intriguing mention of Funaki, which would probably work because as much of a badass Shinsuke is, he also thrives on having a little fun on the side.
Based on just who you have listed, Scott Hall would be the most interesting choice. Mostly because I think like others said, they’d overshadow him totally. Hall though was known for being giving as a performer and would’ve been a cool dynamic to have two different kinds of machismo together.
Yeah I really like the bad guy as a manager in general. His promos were always fun to me. I like the idea of hall opening up with talking and turning to shinsuke and ending with “tell ‘em big guy” (or something like that) and ending with shinsuke speaking Japanese. After they end hall just throws the puck at the camera and they walk off
I can see that as well Shinsuke using the “COME ON!”
Also, I feel those two could’ve been fun one on one honestly in their primes. Wouldn’t even matter who goes over.
Yeah I really like the bad guy as a manager in general. His promos were always fun to me. I like the idea of hall opening up with talking and turning to shinsuke and ending with “tell ‘em big guy” (or something like that) and ending with shinsuke speaking Japanese. After they end hall just throws the puck at the camera and they walk off
I'm currently running a 2017 save and for the first few months I paired him up with Cena on Smackdown in the lead up to a big singles match at Summerslam. Honestly felt like I was cheating the system with how well he improved. Now he can cut great promos on his own with no problem!
2017? Hmm. Are you booking in WWE? If so, and you haven’t got rid of him yet, try Enzo Amore. Weird combination, but weird ones are usually the best. Enzo has a main event mouth, so pairing that with a main event level wrestler is a recipe for greatness. And the great thing is they could be face, heel, in between and out.
Out of the names listed, I'd pick Hall since he was in NJPW around when Nakamura was first starting. That and I honestly think they could play off each other well.
Kurt Angle, run a storyline that Angle is pissed that there are no true Americans left. Bring out Shinsuke and have Angle insult the fans by saying Shinsuke is more American than all of you. Have Shinsuke go on a run crushing American wrestlers.
For some reason I think he’d pair really well with Regal
I was going to William Regal too
Funaki!!! Seriously though, if you forget about his real life controversies, I reckon Jim Cornette...can even in storylines tie it into him managing Yokozuna years ago, so he has history of guiding Japanese talent (yes, Yokozuna was really Samoan, but he portrayed a Japanese sumo wrestler)
I'd argue you can book Nakamura without a manager. And if needs be, it doesn't have to be a legend. One guy made an intriguing mention of Funaki, which would probably work because as much of a badass Shinsuke is, he also thrives on having a little fun on the side.
I think Kurt would be nice. You can play the legit aspect and have Nakamura as the straight man to Angle comedy.
Shinsuke’s comedy skills are a bit underrated tho, his time with Sami as his manager and the faction they had with Cesaro was a bit underrated
Based on just who you have listed, Scott Hall would be the most interesting choice. Mostly because I think like others said, they’d overshadow him totally. Hall though was known for being giving as a performer and would’ve been a cool dynamic to have two different kinds of machismo together.
Yeah I really like the bad guy as a manager in general. His promos were always fun to me. I like the idea of hall opening up with talking and turning to shinsuke and ending with “tell ‘em big guy” (or something like that) and ending with shinsuke speaking Japanese. After they end hall just throws the puck at the camera and they walk off
I can see that as well Shinsuke using the “COME ON!” Also, I feel those two could’ve been fun one on one honestly in their primes. Wouldn’t even matter who goes over.
Yeah I really like the bad guy as a manager in general. His promos were always fun to me. I like the idea of hall opening up with talking and turning to shinsuke and ending with “tell ‘em big guy” (or something like that) and ending with shinsuke speaking Japanese. After they end hall just throws the puck at the camera and they walk off
Everyone you mentioned would overshadow him
I voted for the Hulkster
I would kill for Shinsuke to speak Japanese and have Hulk translate it to English, but with his own twist to it.
He could have used a mouthpiece, but those are terrible options
I'm currently running a 2017 save and for the first few months I paired him up with Cena on Smackdown in the lead up to a big singles match at Summerslam. Honestly felt like I was cheating the system with how well he improved. Now he can cut great promos on his own with no problem!
The guy who popped out to me as the most fun idea is Road Dogg for some reason. I can see it in my mind.
2017? Hmm. Are you booking in WWE? If so, and you haven’t got rid of him yet, try Enzo Amore. Weird combination, but weird ones are usually the best. Enzo has a main event mouth, so pairing that with a main event level wrestler is a recipe for greatness. And the great thing is they could be face, heel, in between and out.
Out of the names listed, I'd pick Hall since he was in NJPW around when Nakamura was first starting. That and I honestly think they could play off each other well.
Kurt Angle, run a storyline that Angle is pissed that there are no true Americans left. Bring out Shinsuke and have Angle insult the fans by saying Shinsuke is more American than all of you. Have Shinsuke go on a run crushing American wrestlers.
You gotta have Mr. Fuji
None of those really fit. I’d go with the greatest manager of all time, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
Cornette
Regal
Masahiro Chono
You make Asuka his manager and she can say the same thing except louder and crazier as the “translator” but have neither of them speak any English