4- Shinsuke Nakamura
If there is any wrestler from the ‘Land Of The Rising Sun’ who deserves all the prestigious accolades in the WWE, that man is undoubtedly the King Of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura. The former IWGP Champion was welcomed into the WWE by Vince McMahon himself the day he came to the WWE HQ at Stamford, Connecticut, and from there on, the ‘Child of God’ has remained undefeated in NXT en route to capturing the NXT Championship.
In case you didn’t know, Lesnar and Nakamura faced each for the IWGP Championship for New Japan Pro Wrestling. This was the time when all the big ticket wrestling promotions in the world were lapping up to sign the hottest free agent in the world at that time, Brock Lesnar. Their match was what you’d expect it to be – a classic encounter. This was when Lesnar still was an ingenious technical wrestler and not the MMA fighter we see in his matches off late.
The rematch makes sense on many levels, both stylistically and storyline wise. Nakamura’s wrestling style that includes cringe-worthy kicks and intricate holds is the perfect match to Lesnar’s free-for-all suplex party interspersed with Muay Thai. Rest assured, the fans would be treated to one of the most hard-hitting and physical encounters to have graced a WWE ring making Sheamus vs Cesaro a mediocre affair.
The fascinating aspect about this feud is the double turn that would send shock waves across the wrestling fraternity. Paul Heyman turning on his most resolute and lucrative client to align with Nakamura would be one heck of a pleasant shock.
Heyman has mentioned the desire to manage Nakamura once he makes the jump to the main roster, and we can only wish it eventually happens sooner than later. A heel Nakamura with Heyman by his side going over a face Lesnar! What more could you ask for?
Nakamura needs Heyman as much as Heyman needs a new client, and having the King Of Strong Style and the King of Mic-Work together avoids WWE’s biggest lapse – the burial of talents primed for greatness, courtesy of Vince McMahon and co.
When asked about the possibility of the much-anticipated rematch happening in the WWE in a recent interview, Nakamura said, If I get a chance, I would be up for that. My body would need to be ready because he is tough. Ouch.”