Did Shinsuke Nakamura leave WWE? Contract status explored amid Pro Wrestling NOAH announcement

Shinsuke Nakamura is set to appear in a major promotion next year. He will return to Pro Wrestling NOAH in January 2025, but he hasn't left WWE.

Nakamura signed with WWE in 2016 and has remained in the Stamford-based promotion since then. In the past eight years, the Japanese icon has won the NXT, Intercontinental, United States, and SmackDown Tag Team championships. On January 1, 2023, he made a quick trip to Pro Wrestling NOAH, defeating The Great Muta in a high-profile singles match.

The King of Strong Style will return to the Japanese promotion on January 1, 2025, with his opponent still unknown. This has led many to wonder whether Nakamura has departed from WWE. The 44-year-old reportedly extended his contract with the global juggernaut in 2019, but the length of this deal is not known.

Nakamura said in June 2024 that he wants to keep wrestling for the Stamford-based promotion and give fans more dream matches.

In the past year or so, the Stamford-based promotion has allowed several contracted superstars to appear in other wrestling companies. This past July, AJ Styles wrestled for NOAH. Most recently, Grayson Waller returned to Australia to compete in PWA.

WWE's partnership with fellow wrestling companies also applies to NXT. The black-and-silver brand is currently working with TNA Wrestling.

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Will Shinsuke Nakamura return to WWE television anytime soon?

Fans have not seen Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE television since the April 22, 2024, episode of Monday Night RAW. On the show, he was defeated by Sheamus. Unfortunately for the Japanese icon's supporters, he might not return anytime soon.

According to a report from Fightful Select in September this year, Nakamura is healthy, but it seems like there are no creative plans for him at the moment. Although the former Intercontinental Champion has been absent from WWE TV, he has been utilized at several house shows and the company's tours of Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and more.

Recently, Nakamura challenged LA Knight for the United States Championship on a house show in Wales but failed to capture the gold.

It remains to be seen when Shinsuke Nakamura will return to WWE television. Regardless, he will receive a warm reception from fans whenever he shows up.