WWE News: Bobby Roode contemplates on his progress in WWE along with Shinsuke Nakamura

What’s the story?

WWE Smackdown Live star Bobby Roode recently took a trip down memory lane and shared a glimpse from his NXT days on the social media, ahead of WrestleMania 34 next weekend.

In case you didn’t know…

Roode made his WWE NXT debut in 2016 and despite being an on-screen heel, the former Impact Wrestling star quickly became a fan favourite among the NXT Universe, mostly due to his Glorious theme song and his amazing heelish persona.

Within the first year of his NXT debut, Roode earned his way to the top of the mountain and eventually earned himself a shot at Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT Championship.

On January 28, 2017, “The Glorious One” defeated “The King of Strong Style” in the main event of NXT TakeOver: San Antonio in order to capture the NXT Title and also becoming the oldest NXT Champion in the process.

Following his NXT Title win against Nakamura, Roode would go on to defend his championship belt against the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in a rematch at NXT TakeOver: Orlando and in doing so, Roode would also go on to hand Nakamura his first clean singles loss in his departing match from NXT.

The heart of the matter

In a recent tweet via his official Twitter handle, former NXT Champion Roode decided to look back and recall his NXT Title defense against “The Artist” Shinsuke Nakamura last year at NXT TakeOver: Orlando during WrestleMania 33 weekend, in a match that eventually turned out to be Nakamura’s farewell bout in WWE’s developmental brand.

In addition, Roode also reflected on the changes that have been made to both his and Nakamura’s WWE careers within the past one year, as both men now look forward to making their WrestleMania debuts next weekend and compete in two different title matches in order to capture gold around their waist.

What a difference a year makes.... 1 year ago today I defended the @WWENXT title against @ShinsukeN in his final NXT match on the eve of #Wrestlemania in Orlando. In one week we take the big stage in New Orleans competing for @WWE championships.... #Glorious pic.twitter.com/ujjodkfInw

— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) April 1, 2018

What’s next?

As noted, Nakamura will challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship in New Orleans, in what will be a rematch from NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 event.

On the other hand, Roode will look to regain his WWE United States Championship as he steps into the ring with former WWE Champions Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton—who is currently in possession of the US Title—and former two-time United States Champion Rusev, who was recently added to the title match at ‘Mania 34.

Author’s take

Being former NXT Champions both Roode and Nakamura have certainly come a long way in their journey to WrestleMania 34.

Personally, I’ll be hoping that both Nakamura and Roode win their respective matches at ‘Mania 34 and eventually capture the WWE and US Title respectively.