5 Stipulations Shinsuke Nakamura could choose

The main event of this week's SmackDown featured a non-title match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. The winner could pick the stipulation of their title match at WWE Money in the Bank.

In the closing moments, Shinsuke Nakamura acted as if he had been hit by a low blow. Styles fell for it and the Japanese hit an Inverted Suplex. Shinsuke Nakamura would follow it up with a Kinshasha knee strike and pick up the win.

This win gave a huge boost to Shinsuke Nakamura's title aspirations. He, now, holds the liberty to choose the stipulation when the title would be up for grabs.

In a backstage interview, AJ Styles gave a few stipulations he would have chosen had he won the match. As that is not the case, we can strike-off all those possibilities.

But, what stipulations would Shinsuke Nakamura choose? One thing which we know for sure is that the Japanese will bend the rules in his favor.

Here, we predict 5 stipulations Shinsuke Nakamura could choose.

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Honorable Mention: A low blow match

Shinsuke Nakamura started hitting a series of low blows after his first one at WrestleMania 34

This stipulation would make a lot of sense considering the way their storyline has been constructed till now. However, the match will not work for the following reasons.

Firstly, it would be strange for them to try going for a low blow after they hit their finisher. Secondly, it could again lead to a no-contest as happened in Backlash. Thirdly, we will only get to see one or two low blows.

As much as we love the idea, the execution would be a dumb one. But, you never say never in the world of pro-wrestling. If this happens, it would be the most bizarre stipulation in which a World Championship has been defended.

#5 Nakamura wins if Styles is disqualified or counted-out

Styles disqualified himself out at their encounter in the Greatest Royal Rumble

This seems a very obvious one. If you look at the way Nakamura tried to win this week's match, this should have been the first thing coming to your mind.

This stipulation is the customary one where the heel thinks the babyface is scared of him and could do anything to retain the title. The Miz and Dean Ambrose played into it last year for the Intercontinental Championship. Nakamura and Styles would definitely deliver a better version of it.

However, what makes it the least worthwhile entry in our list is the fact that it would be anti-climactic to their Backlash encounter. At first, you have a No DQ encounter, and you follow it with a no DQ only for a single competitor.

Th King of Strong Style definitely has better ideas than this one.

#4 A 2 out-of-three falls match

2 out of 3 falls match earlier had no clear winners

If you take into account their matches in WWE only, it is 1-1. While one was a clean victory for Styles, the other one came when Nakamura used his roguish heel tactics.

If the same thing follows up at Money in the Bank, Nakamura could go home with the title. Moreover, it would give more time to the audiences to witness their in-ring ability.

However, this one could finish with no clear winners. Last year, The Bar challenged the Hardy Brothers for the tag team titles in the similar stipulation, and it ended in a double count-out.

#3 Last Man Standing Match

Cena and Batista's Last Man Standing Match ended in a comical fashion

This one makes a lot of sense considering the way how their Backlash encounter finished. They both couldn't answer the 10-call, and the match ended in a draw.

In the past, Last Man Standing matches have seen brutal finishes. Braun Strowman buried Kane underneath an announce table, and Dean Ambrose sent Kevin Owens flying through two tables.

Moreover, Extreme Rules 2010 saw a rather comic ending. Yes, you guessed it right. In the end, John Cena tied Batista's legs through a duct-tape on a pole and won the match. Given the way Nakamura has been booked, he could go that low to win the title.

However, like the previous entry, this one too could have no clear winner.

#2 Iron Man Match

Cena and Orton had the last Iron Man match for the WWE Championship

There are many rumors circulating on the internet which tells that Nakamura would indeed choose an Iron Man match. This one even presents a clear winner as the match could always go to extra time if it ends in a draw.

A very few would know that AJ Styles earlier had an Iron Man match in the WWE against Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental Championship. The same can't be said about Shinsuke Nakamura.

If this one happens, then it would be the first time since Bragging Rights 2009 that the WWE Championship has been defended in an Iron Man match. At that time, John Cena and Randy Orton couldn't stand each other and had series of matches earlier. Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles are in a similar bloodlust position.

#1 A time limit match with Nakamura winning if it's a draw

Nakamura and Styles could battle it out in a time limit match

The only reason why this one makes the top of the list is due to Nakamura having a wealth of experience in it. In NJPW, it is common for matches to end in a draw. This would be the ideal psychology with which Nakamura could capture the title. On top of it, it is the only possible way in which Styles can come out as a winner despite losing the belt.

If WWE wants this storyline to be progressed further, it would be better if it's a variation of the traditional one-on-one match. While they can perform well in hardcore matches, sometimes a simple one-on-one match does the trick.

Moreover, the NXT Takeover: Philadelphia main event was a traditional one-on-one match with the winner going home with the title. Still, it earned a 5-star rating from Dave Meltzer. Styles and Nakamura are way better performers than both of them. It is high time the kids in NXT know who the real boss is.