What’s the story?
As part of its daily rumour round-up, Cageside Seats has reported that Randy Orton may have two brand new challengers over the summer. The website has speculated that Baron Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura could find themselves being the biggest beneficiaries of the superstar shake-up over on SmackDown Live, with both men expected to be inserted in the WWE Championship picture.
In case you didn’t know...
Shinsuke Nakamura recently made his debut on SmackDown Live after spending a year in developmental in NXT. Nakamura is a former two-time NXT Champion, and whilst he is yet to compete in a match on SmackDown Live, his in-ring debut isn’t far away.
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Nakamura is a former IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion, being the youngest man to ever win the former and the man who made the latter the important championship it is today.
Baron Corbin’s rise through the ranks could not be more different when compared to that of The King of Strong Style. Corbin was a college football standout who eventually made his way to WWE developmental, and his rise has been slow and steady.
Corbin was a fixture on NXT for a while before making the jump and winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in 2016.
The heart of the matter
It will come as no surprise to anyone that WWE is considering putting Nakamura straight into the main event picture on SmackDown Live. The King of Strong Style is one of the elite professional wrestlers on the planet, and the truth is that he was WWE Champion material long before he made it onto WWE’s radar.
Nakamura is one of wrestling’s most charismatic performers, and he will bring an entirely new energy to SmackDown Live and to Randy Orton. To say he is ready for the main event is a huge understatement.
Baron Corbin is a very different kettle of fish. The Lone Wolf has steadily been solidifying himself on SmackDown Live and seemed primed to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship before Dean Ambrose took that title over to RAW.
This initially looked like a problem for Corbin, instead, he could find himself vaulted into the WWE Championship picture over the summer. It will cap off an intense wave to the top for Baron Corbin.
What’s next?
Randy Orton will defend the WWE Championship against former champion Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors match at WWE Payback, and it will be a huge shock if Wyatt pulls out a victory in San Jose.
Author’s take
The injection of fresh blood into the main event scene is good news for all involved, especially Randy Orton. The Viper’s performances can be frustrating at times, and whilst it is difficult to see great matches coming from a feud with Corbin, the prospect of Randy Orton vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is tantalising, to say the least.
It could be an interesting summer on SmackDown Live.
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