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Ever since making his WWE debut in 2016, ‘The King of Strong Style’ Shinsuke Nakamura has dazzled the entire WWE Universe with his mesmerizing in-ring performances and has already produced some of the most memorable Pro Wrestling matches of all time within his first one and a half year span with the WWE.
Nakamura’s debut match in the WWE against Sami Zayn is a prime example of how good the Japanese Superstar is inside the Pro Wrestling ring, and his bouts against the likes of Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, John Cena, Bobby Roode and Kevin Owens are some absolutely amazing matches that are definitely worth checking out.
However, prior to signing with the WWE, Nakamura was arguably the biggest stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he along with Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi were three of the biggest stars in NJPW at that point of time.
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Nakamura became an overnight sensation in New Japan and every time he stepped into the NJPW ring, ‘The King of Strong Style’ always delivered his absolute best and brought along a different vibe to the squared circle.
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The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has also had some of the most memorable matches in both NJPW and for various other global promotions as well and with that being said, let us now get an in-depth look at Nakamura’s 5 best matches before signing with WWE.
#5. Shinsuke Nakamura vs La Sombra - NJPW: Kizuna Road, 2013
The year 2013 was pretty interesting for Shinsuke Nakamura who engaged into a heated and intense rivalry with one of CMLL’s fastest rising stars in La Sombra (now billed as Andrade “Cien” Almas in WWE).
Nakamura and Sombra’s feud spanned over two different continents, with the latter winning the IWGP Intercontinental Championship off ‘The King of Strong Style’ in CMLL and in doing so, Sombra also became the first ever Mexican wrestler to ever hold the IWGP IC Title.
However, at Kizuna Road, 2013, Nakamura was out for revenge as he looked to score a win over the very talented and high-flying La Sombra, who used his athleticism and traditional Lucha Libre style against the strong style of Nakamura, who on this occasion was forced to step out his comfort zone inside the squared circle.
But, despite that Nakamura was successfully able to defeat the Los Ingobernables originator after hitting with a brutal Bomaye Knee.
With both men currently working under the SmackDown Live brand, will we possibly witness a rematch between them in the future?
#4. Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles - NJPW: Wrestle Kingdom 10, 2016
This was both AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura’s last big singles match in an NJPW ring, and also marked Nakamura’s final IWGP Intercontinental Championship defense as well.
Billed as the co-main event of NJPW’s biggest annual event, that is, Wrestle Kingdom, both Nakamura, and Styles laid it all out on the line on this occasion and put on an instant classic that went over more than half an hour.
Styles, who after failing to regain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Kazuchika Okada, decided to challenge for the IWGP IC Title for the very first time in his career.
He came into this match as the challenger suffering from a back injury, which ‘The Phenomenal One’ perfectly sold throughout this astonishing match against Nakamura.
The numerous counters are also a thing of beauty to look out for in this match and in the closing stages of it, Nakamura successfully retained his IWGP Intercontinental Championship, following two Bomaye Knees, as the two men eventually showed a mutual amount of respect to each other after the match.
#3. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kazuchika Okada - NJPW: G1 Climax 24, 2014
Featuring two of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest stars, the G1 Climax 24 finale was considered very special as CHAOS stablemates Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura went into battle with each other for the very first time since 2012, and by the year 2014, this match was already billed as one of the biggest dream matches of all time.
Nakamura and Okada were two of the biggest heads of NJPW and their CHAOS faction and their match at the 2014 G1 Finals seemingly decided who the ‘Alpha Male’, is between the two Japanese sensations.
By the end of an eventful evening at the Seibu Dome, it was ‘The Rainmaker’ who stood tall over ‘The King of Strong Style’ after unleashing three Rainmakers on the latter to win the prestigious G1 Climax tournament.
#2. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Hiroshi Tanahashi- NJPW: G1 Climax, 2015
Despite suffering an early arm injury into the 2015 G1 Climax, Shinsuke Nakamura somehow managed to pull off a huge upset when he successfully won the B block, and made it through to the finals of the G1 Climax.
He once again looked to be in contention to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, however, the only obstacle standing in his path to a Tokyo Dome main event was ‘The Ace’ Hiroshi Tanahashi.
During this amazing 5 star match, Tanahashi once again proved why he is such an amazing worker in the Pro Wrestling industry, as the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion targeted Nakamura’s knees throughout the match, in order to prevent Nakamura from hitting his vicious Bomaye Knees.
In response, Nakamura targeted Tana’s arm, hoping to remove his ability to lock in the Armbar Submission and this in my opinion, was storytelling at its finest.
The entire match was fast paced and the work rate from two men proved why they’re considered as two of the best workers not only in NJPW but around the globe as well.
Nakamura, however, once again failed in the finals of the G1, as he fell to ‘The Ace’ on this occasion, who hit with two High Fly Flows to win the G1 Climax 25.
#1. Shinsuke Nakamura vs Kota Ibushi - Wrestle Kingdom 9, 2015
One of the greatest Pro Wrestling matches of all time and arguably one of the best matches to ever take place inside the Tokyo Dome.
Nakamura’s one-on-one IWGP Intercontinental Title match against Ibushi from 2015 was quite possibly the best IWGP IC Title match.
Ibushi, who despite being a Jr. Heavyweight at that point of time, wanted to prove that he can truly hang in there with the likes of Nakamura and the rest of the Heavyweight Division.
As expected, ‘The Golden Star’ once again lived up to all the expectations and delivered on the big stage along with ‘The King of Strong Style’.
A much-resilient Kota Ibushi decided to step out of his comfort zone on this occasion and displayed a rather aggressive side and eventually hit Nakamura with his own Bomayee Knee.
However, Ibushi’s rude and cocky attitude subsequently wasn’t enough to pull off the upset win, as Nakamura kept his calm, took his time and eventually hit Ibushi with the Bomayee Knees to pick up the win and retain his championship belt in the process.
A highly recommendable match with some amazing bit of storytelling to it, with two of the very best wrestlers in the world today.
What do you think was Shinsuke Nakamura's best match before WWE? Sound off in the comments section below!
