Shinsuke Nakamura became the first Japanese wrestler to claim a major WWE championship after he defeated Samoa Joe at TakeOver: Brooklyn II to win the NXT Title. After destroying everyone in his path en route to a title shot, Nakamura finally accomplished the feat and ended Joe's 121-day reign with the title inside The Barclays Center.
The Japanese wrestler made his WWE debut on April 1st during Wrestlemania weekend and overpowered Sami Zayn at Takeover: Dallas in Zayn’s farewell match in NXT. He recently spoke to Sports Illustrated.com about his debut match and discussed many subjects. However, the main highlight of the interview was when the NXT champion revealed his WWE goals, saying that he would love to face John Cena at Wrestlemania 33 in Orlando, Florida.
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"I'd like to fight at WrestleMania," said Nakamura, who even booked his own match. "John Cena- that's a great choice."
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Next year, however, Nakamura plans on resting during the opening days of WrestleMania weekend, before wrestling, of course, on Sunday, April 2nd at WrestleMania 33.
Considering his talent, there's no reason to believe, he won't find himself wrestling at WWE's biggest show of the year. But is he good enough, or, better, and will the main roster audience accept him to go up against John Cena?
If WWE goes on to book this match, then the 36-year-old Nakamura will be the second Wrestler from NXT to face John Cena at the grandest stage, as Bray Wyatt already competed against the 15-time World Champion at Wrestlemania 30. Also, the match against Cena would be best way for the three-time IWGP champion’s to get noticed by a more global audience who are unfamiliar with him.
With everything set in mind, Nakamura pursues his dream to become the first Japanese Wrestler to headline Wrestlemania, however, he understands what is needed to excel on the WWE’s main roster.
“I need to study English more,” Nakamura admitted. “I’ll start by watching Sesame Street every day.”
While Nakamura continues to master the English language, he remains confident in his ability to succeed in any wrestling ring across the globe. “Wrestling has its own culture,” said Nakamura. “Every culture–Japan, Samoan, Indian, Korean–has wrestling, and wrestling is a worldwide mix,” he said.
Nakamura has a strongly defined character – the “King of Strong Style”, known for his hard-hitting ways. He said in the interview that he grew up being influenced by wrestlers with fierce and animated characters like Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan.
