#2 Why did Dolph dominate most of the match?
In a recent article, I suggested that ShinsuShinsukeura and Dolph Ziggler could be on for a classic. The build-up to this match was done very well, making the occasion feel special and positioning Nakamura as the next big thing for SmackDown. Unfortunately, the whole thing failed on several different levels on the night. For two wrestlers known for their ability to tell great stories in the ring, the action itself was pretty lacklustre. The match never really got into top gear, and because of this, the crowd weren't able to add to the atmosphere like a hot Chicago audience normally can.
The biggest problem I had with this opener, however, was that it was far too evenly matched. If you're trying to portray Nakamura as this Japanese sensation that brings his own style of wrestling to the WWE, you can't have his very first opponent looking so comfortable and dominant. Dolph should have wrestled this match as if he wasn't quite ready for Strong Style, or just couldn't work out where Shinsuke's offence was going to come from. I realise the WWE have had superstars before who can fight strong style, but this is the first time its been overtly referenced.
The sad thing about this is that such an anticipated debut just fell into the background of the show. People aren't talking about this being the match of the night, and it might not even have come second. The WWE really need to reassess how they're showcasing Nakamura, because if you take away his uniqueness and unconventional style, then you're going to struggle to get him over.
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