'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Shinsuke Nakamura has had quite a year in WWE. The Japanese superstar managed to claw his way back from being left off the WrestleMania card in April to achieve some great success.
He first altered his gimmick by becoming King Nakamura, defeating King Corbin in the summer, and acquiring Rick Boogs' services. In August, he then became the WWE Intercontinental Champion by overcoming Apollo Crews on SmackDown.
Since winning gold, he has only defended the championship once on television, defeating Apollo Crews in a rematch. While Happy Corbin defeated Nakamura in a Championship Contender's match on October 22, the title match never happened.
Trending
A WWE Hall of Famer isn't a John Cena fan. More details HERE
More recently, Nakamura and Rick Boogs have been feuding with Los Lotharios. The King of Strong Style's last two matches on SmackDown have totaled a combined three minutes. Blink, and you'll miss them.
Of course, the blue brand's show is only two hours, but somebody of Shinsuke Nakamura's caliber deserves much better. In fact, the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship deserves better. Something certainly has to change heading into 2022.
That being said, let's look at five ways WWE could improve Shinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Title reign.
#5 Shinsuke Nakamura could issue an open challenge for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
In the eyes of a WWE fan, you're seeing Shinsuke Nakamura parade around SmackDown without defending his championship. In reigns gone by, babyface champions have come out and called themselves "fighting champions" in front of the WWE Universe.
For Nakamura, he will undoubtedly be frustrated that he is not being booked for opportunities to defend his gold. After all, he is one of WWE's all-around performers and could face anyone and put on a great match.
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle chimed in on the situation recently on his Kurt Angle Show podcast:
"Every time he comes out, the fans go crazy. It’s crazy that the company hasn’t utilized him more, the way he should be utilized. Really surprised but I think it might be a little bit of the language barrier, that might be one of the reasons but he covers that with the way he portrays himself and the things he says. He doesn’t have to know English, he’s entertaining as it is. I’m not sure why they don’t utilize him the way he should be utilized." Kurt Angle said (h/t Inside The Ropes)
One easy solution that could get the situation back on track is having the champion come out this week on SmackDown. Like past champions, Nakamura could issue an open challenge and put the title on the line.
It would certainly get people invested in seeing who would accept it. At the same time, it will showcase just how great Nakamura is if given a proper storyline.
#4 WWE could give Happy Corbin his due title match on WWE SmackDown
On the October 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, Happy Corbin defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a Championship Contender's match. Sadly, Corbin never got his opportunity to challenge Shinsuke for the title, and the win was forgotten.
Despite feuding with Drew McIntyre currently, WWE could finally give Corbin his chance. It would allow Nakamura to defend his championship in a hard-hitting match. It could lead to a series of matches over the coming weeks and give Shinsuke and the Intercontinental Title something meaningful on the blue brand.
#3 Shinsuke Nakamura could turn on Rick Boogs for taking the spotlight
Has Rick Boogs become more popular than Shinsuke Nakamura right now? The electric guitar-playing superstar is undoubtedly in the spotlight more than the champion.
What if the Intercontinental Champion gets tired of Boogs and turns on him, blaming him for his weak run as champion? Nakamura could easily say that all the focus went on Boogs after his title, and he became the side act. It would undoubtedly be a feud for the WWE Universe to get invested in.
#2 Shinsuke Nakamura could confront Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville, and they take revenge on WWE SmackDown
Shinsuke Nakamura will have to wonder why he has not been booked to defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship in over three months. He could take the issue up with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville.
It could immediately kick-start a storyline where Peace and Deville make life difficult for Nakamura for questioning them. They pit Nakamura against tough challenges each week to test his metal. Hopefully, at the same time, the WWE Universe will be supporting the King of Strong Style even more.
#1 WWE could place Shinsuke Nakamura in a meaningful feud leading into 2022
One simple way to get Shinsuke Nakamura's reign as Intercontinental Champion back on track is to give him a meaningful feud. Right now, there are a handful of names that could also benefit from such a feud.
Names like Cesaro and Ricochet, who appear to be undercard players at the moment on SmackDown, could reap the rewards. WWE could have Ricochet step up as he did with Drew a few weeks ago and let him and Nakamura go at it.
What do you think would help Shinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Championship reign right now? Let us know in the comments below.
