Shinsuke Nakamura Inspired By Jackie Chan To Become A Pro Wrestler

Shinsuke Nakamura made a name for himself in NJPW, where he was the King Of Strong Style and touted as one of the best pro wrestlers in the world. He would eventually sign with WWE and has had a decent career in the company so far.

Nakamura would join the world of pro wrestling way back in 2002 and has been an active competitor since then. It seems he had a very interesting source of inspiration that ultimately made him want to become a pro wrestler.

While speaking on Renee Paquette’s Oral Sessions, Shinsuke Nakamura talked about what inspired him to begin his pro wrestling journey. Nakamura revealed that ninjas, samurai and Jackie Chan ultimately inspired him to lace up his pro wrestling boots.

“I wanted to be a man, so that’s why I started. I was interested in martial arts. Also I’m a big fan of ninja and samurai, finally I found wrestling. So wrestlers do matches almost every day, so that makes me tough I think, then I should be a wrestler. [Renee: You were also a fan of Jackie Chan?] Yes, I watched Jackie Chan’s movies since I was in elementary school, he was very very popular in Asia.”

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Shinksuke Nakamura certainly had an interesting inspiration as Jackie Chan is a regarded as one of the best martial artists in the world, especially in his various action movies. Nakamura is currently engaged in a feud with King Corbin on Friday Night Smackdown and we will have to see if Nakamura will eventually get a main event title shot again.

h/t to Inside The Ropes for the quotes.