When Sabre comes out, yeah the people are behind him, but it's not that visceral, "ride or die for the babyface", or in the case of a heel, "imma cut your throat open" type of connection fans always have with the top guys. He is popular, but he isn't really THAT popular, and his drawing power and reactions reflect this. Sabre is one of those guys who is more over with Western fans than he is Japanese fans.
I was thinking about this, and it could be a couple of things. Firstly, maybe it's just a case of Japanese fans being disconnected with his entire presentation? I remember when GYV signed with WWE, and the IWC thought they'd be super over, but they weren't because the American fans didn't get the whole soccer hooligan gimmick. Perhaps it's the same thing with Zack and his punk deal, because Fujita embodies it more than the damn leader lol.
Secondly, is it the style? Sabre's shit is smooth, crisp and impressive, but it isn't for everyone. My wrestling circle of friends don't like technical wrestling, and many other people feel the same, which is fine because wrestling is ultimately a diverse art. Sabre's work is great, but it takes a while it seems for the fans to truly get into it. Finally, is it his personality? He is very cocky and pretty disrespectful, but not in a almost endearing, Naito-type way. Sabre just comes across like a total dick lol, even when he is meant to be a good guy. Not likeable is what I'm saying.
Strange – in America and UK he is treated as this gen's Dynamite Kid or Danielson, but in Japan he's kinda like Dean Malenko – respected and appreciated a lot, but not as much as his predecessors were.
by No_Friendship2918