Is the NXT Championship a Blessing or a Curse?

#9 Shinsuke Nakamura - Blessing

Shinsuke Nakamura (9th and 11th NXT Champion

NXT felt the electricity of Shinsuke Nakamura immediately. As soon as he entered NXT, the fans knew he was special. He moved unlike anyone else in the WWE and has a cool confidence that makes everyone jealous.

He was billed as a Babyface for his entire NXT run and relied heavily on his entrance and ring performance as opposed to mic skills. The King of Strong Style brought a new attitude and intensity to NXT.

Since moving to the main roster we have seen him get more and more attention. He won the Royal Rumble and went on to main event Wrestlemania in a so-called "Dream Match" against AJ Styles which was followed by his heel turn.

I think that we are just starting to see Shinsuke having fun. It's easy to rely on the stuff that the fans cheer for every time, but he is expressing himself in new ways now that will keep people interested.

Ultimately his time as NXT champion did a lot to give him credibility with the American audience and prepare him for the main roster, he wouldn't be as good as he is right now if they had just shoved him on Smackdown immediately.