When WWE signed Shinsuke Nakamura in early 2016, it was considered a major coup for the company. The Japanese star was a three-time IWGP Champion and was considered one of the staples of New Japan Pro Wrestling at the time. He was a crown jewel of World Wrestling Entertainment’s bid to go more international and tap into the lucrative Asian market.

They quickly put the sensation into the spotlight in NXT, where he had blowout matches with the likes of Finn Balor, Samoa Joe and several others. The plan was to fast-track this established veteran to the main roster once he learned the ‘WWE way’ of doing things. That meant a slight change in ring style, but Nakamura was game to the challenge. He would eventually debut on Smackdown and make an immediate splash.

The fanfare alone for Nakamura was enough to let you know he was some kind of big deal. His theme song quickly became a favorite of the WWE Universe. Particularly at larger events when it is often accompanied by a rock guitarist or an orchestra. Fans would hum along to the chorus of the tune, as Shinsuke did whatever interpretive dance he was using that night to make his way to the ring.

It paid off, too. Nakamura found himself in the ring with WWE’s biggest stars on some of its largest events
Perhaps it all came to a head when he faced AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34. That’s when the chickens came home to roost.

Shinsuke Nakamura is a great talent. But he’s a terrible challenger to Roman Reigns’ WWE Championship due to his past booking.

WWE WrestleMania Backlash is approaching, and Roman Reigns looks set to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship prize for the first time. After defeating his biggest challenge to date in Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 39, he is undoubtedly at the top of the mountain, though it isn’t entirely clear how long he will remain in that position, with it being unclear when his eventual fall will come. It certainly won’t be at Backlash, where he is primed to go head-to-head with Shinsuke Nakamura based on recent events on Smackdown, who may be one of the least credible challengers he has had over the last two years as Universal Champion, with Nakamura also being a poor choice for Reigns’ first defense as the Unified Champion.

If WWE Booked Nakamura Correctly, He Could Be A Strong Challenger
When branding Nakamura as a poor challenger, it has absolutely zero to do with his talents as a performer. When Nakamura walked into NXT a few years back, he was presented as a huge star, and even when he first got called up to the main roster, the fans were firmly on his side. He is someone with a unique ring style, different from everything seen in WWE, bringing “Japanese Strong Style” to the company. He also has a very special type of charisma, that he can convey without cutting any promos, and that was working for a while in WWE too.

Roman Reigns encountered Shinsuke Nakamura for the first time at Royal Rumble 2018 when The King of Strong Style punched his ticket to WrestleMania by eliminating The Tribal Chief.

In the contest’s final moments, Nakamura countered Reigns’ Spear with a Kinshasa, which allowed him to throw his opponent over the top rope. It was a hard pill to swallow for The Tribal Chief as The Artist snatched away his second Rumble victory.

Since then, the two have faced each other twice in singles matches. Interestingly, Shinsuke walked into both of these matches as the Intercontinental Champion. So, what was the result each time Reigns and Nakamura collided?

What are the singles match record between Roman Reigns and Shinsuke Nakamura?

Roman Reigns has a 2-0 lead over Nakamura in singles matches. The duo first locked horns in October 2019, when The Artist defended his Intercontinental Championship against The Big Dog.

It was a great match that ended in a disqualification. Baron Corbin attacked Reigns with his royal scepter, which prevented him from winning the championship.

The two met again during The Tribute to the Troops event in November 2021. It was a Champion vs. Champion bout, where the Universal Champion looked to finally earn a pinfall victory over The King of Strong Style.

Shinsuke Nakamura stepped up his game and gave The Tribal Chief a tough fight. However, following a vicious Spear, The Tribal Chief got a three count.

#1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn vs. King Baron Corbin vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Adam Pearce

We go to the ring for tonight’s Gauntlet Match main event and out comes Rey Mysterio with Dominik Mysterio. The winner will become the new #1 contender to challenge WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Sami Zayn is out next. Sami starts ranting about a conspiracy against him. He has a film crew with him and says they are here to document and uncover the conspiracy against him, which led to him losing the Intercontinental Title. He goes on and says when the documentary comes out, it will prove he’s the rightful champion. Fans boo as Sami continues ranting. He enters the ring and goes on about beating Rey, then everyone else who comes down to the ring because he is undeniable.

The bell rings and Sami is still ranting to his film crew. He turns around to a dropkick from Rey. Rey knocks Sami into the ropes and then hits 619. Rey goes to the top and hits the big Frogsplash for the easy pin. Sami has been eliminated. Sami, still wearing his coat, rolls to the floor as Rey’s music hits. Sami storms away as his film crew follows. The music hits and out next comes Shinsuke Nakamura. Rey looks on as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and the bell rings as they lock up and go at it. Nakamura with a headlock before running the ropes and dropping Rey with a shoulder. Rey counters a move and they tangle. Rey rolls through and hits a kick to the face for a quick pin attempt as Dominik looks on.

More back and forth now. Rey sends Nakamura to the floor with a hurricanrana. Rey with the baseball slide but Nakamura catches him and drives a knee to the chin on the apron. Nakamura leaps off the apron but misses a knee as Rey dodges it. Rey slides under the bottom rope with the Sunset Bomb on the floor. Nakamura ends up coming right back up and nailing a sliding knee on the outside. Nakamura brings it back in but Rey kicks out at 2 by grabbing the rope.

Nakamura controls Rey in the corner and drops him again for a 2 count. Nakamura with another takedown and a double knee drop for a 2 count. Nakamura with kicks while Rey is down. Nakamura takes Rey to the top and works him over. Nakamura climbs up for a superplex but Rey resists and fights back. Rey headbutts Nakamura to the mat. Rey nails the flying senton as Nakamura gets up. Rey with more offense and a roll-up for a close 2 count. Rey gets dumped to the apron and then stunned with a kick to the face. Rey blocks a shot into the top turnbuckle. Rey fights back from the apron and flies in but Nakamura catches him. Rey blocks a powerbomb attempt and sends Nakamura into position for 619. Rey nails it. Rey goes back to the top for the splash but Nakamura gets his knees up. Nakamura goes right into the arm bar but Rey tries to fight it off. Nakamura fights back and tightens it to make Rey tap out. Rey has been eliminated.

Nakamura’s music starts to play but King Baron Corbin runs down and attacks Dominik from behind, laying him out at ringside. Corbin rushes the ring and unloads on Rey in the corner. Corbin drives Rey into the mat with a big chokeslam as fans boo. Corbin stands over Rey and talks some trash as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Corbin is going at it with Nakamura. They trade shots in the middle of the ring. Corbin hits a big clothesline for a 2 count. Corbin with body strikes in the corner now. Corbin takes Nakamura to another corner and unloads with more body strikes. Corbin charges but Nakamura moves and Corbin hits the ring post shoulder-first. Nakamura drops Corbin with a kick. Corbin rolls to the floor to regroup.

Nakamura leaps off the apron but Corbin catches him and rams him into the post. Corbin brings it back in for a 2 count. Corbin continues to work Nakamura around the ring. Corbin drives Nakamura back into the mat for another close pin attempt. Nakamura counters a move and nails a leaping kick to the face to drop Corbin. Nakamura unloads with kicks now. Corbin catches one leg but Nakamura drops him with the other. Nakamura moves out of the corner and Corbin hits hard. Nakamura drops Corbin with a kick to the head. Nakamura leaps off the second rope with a flying kick for a close 2 count.

Nakamura waits in the corner for Corbin to get up now. Corbin dodges the Kinshasa and nails the Deep Six for a close 2 count. Nakamura immediately pulls Corbin into a Triangle submission. Corbin powers up and breaks it with a powerbomb. Corbin runs out and back in but Nakamura levels him with a Kinshasa to the face for the pin to get the elimination. Nakamura’s music hits as he recovers. We get a replay of the Kinshasa. The music interrupts and out next comes Daniel Bryan as a “yes!” chant breaks out. Nakamura stands tall in the ring and tells Bryan to bring it. Bryan hits the ring and poses in the corner as the “yes!” chant gets louder. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Bryan nails a dropkick as soon as the bell hits. They tangle and Bryan ends up sending Nakamura to the floor and then nailing a suicide dive, sending Nakamura into the announce table. Bryan brings it back in and goes to the top but Nakamura kicks him in the gut in mid-air. Bryan with the reverse Exploder suplex now. Nakamura charges for Kinshasa but Bryan counters and applies a half Crab in the middle of the ring. The referee checks on Nakamura. Bryan pulls him back to the middle of the ring and then applies an ankle lock.

Nakamura tries to break it but Bryan turns that into a German suplex with a bridge for a close 2 count. Bryan with Yes Kicks while Nakamura is on his knees now. Nakamura gets up and takes more kicks, going back down to his knees. Bryan keep the kicks coming as fans cheer him on. Nakamura ducks the roundhouse kick and then kicks Bryan. Nakamura counters and rolls Bryan into an arm bar takedown. Bryan counters with an arm bar of his own. Nakamura resists but Bryan goes into the Yes Lock in the middle of the ring.

Nakamura tries to fight out of the hold. Bryan transitions again but Nakamura finally gets his foot on the bottom rope to break free. Bryan drops Nakamura to his knees and delivers a few more kicks, focusing on the arm. Bryan backs Nakamura into the arm and continues to work on the arm. Bryan takes Nakamura to the top for the Frankensteiner but Nakamura blocks it and Bryan falls to the mat. Nakamura with a flying kick for a close 2 count. Nakamura drives big knee strikes into Bryan now on the mat.

Nakamura barely hits a roundhouse kick. More back and forth between the two. Bryan forces another pin attempt. They get to their feet and exchange kicks, then punches. Bryan boxes Nakamura into the corner. Bryan with kicks to the chest in the corner now. Bryan drops Nakamura with a kick to the head in the corner. Bryan runs with the corner dropkick, and another. Bryan runs again for the third dropkick but Nakamura flies out of the corner with the Kinshasa out of nowhere to get the pin to eliminate Bryan.

Nakamura starts celebrating as his music hits. We go to replays while Bryan is still down. Nakamura kneels down on the mat and looks at Bryan. Bryan stands up and helps Nakamura up. Bryan offers his hand and they shake as fans pop. They then have a few friendly words but the music interrupts and out comes WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. Nakamura stares Reigns down. Cole and Graves remind us that there is still one man left in the Gauntlet. We go back to commercial with Nakamura staring back up at Reigns, Uso and Heyman on the stage.

Back from the break and Nakamura is still waiting in the ring while Reigns and his crew look on from the stage. Heyman motions to the back and out comes WWE official Adam Pearce. Pearce looks like he wants no part of this. He walks past Reigns and crew, down the ramp to the ringside area. Reigns, Uso and Heyman follow him. Pearce is wearing a pair of pants, no shirt on and a WWE jacket. Pearce looks like he doesn’t know what to do. Uso enters the ring and gets in Nakamura’s face, talking trash. Uso with a cheap shot to Nakamura in the face. Uso beats Nakamura down and Reigns joins him. They double team Nakamura now as fans boo. Pearce watches from ringside. Heyman watches from the other side, clutching the title.

Uso delivers a big superkick to Nakamura, then Reigns finishes him off with a Superman Punch. Uso goes to the top and delivers the big Uso Splash. Nakamura is laid out. Reigns goes out and tells Pearce that this is his show and he does what he wants to do. Reigns aggressively rolls Pearce into the ring. Pearce says some words to Reigns but turns around to a big superkick from Uso. Pearce goes down. Reigns signals for the timekeeper to ring the bell for Pearce vs. Nakamura.

Fans continue booing as Uso pulls Pearce on top of Nakamura. They are both laid out. The referee gets down and counts the pin for Pearce to win.

Winner and New #1 Contender: Adam Pearce

– After the bell, Reigns’ music hits as he stands tall and raises the title. Pearce starts to recover as the boos get louder. Cole and Graves wonder if this means Pearce will challenge Reigns for the title at the Royal Rumble. Reigns raises the Universal Title in the air and looks down at Pearce as SmackDown goes off the air.

Next Week on Monday Night RAW It’ll be the RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in a Champions vs Champions Tag Team Match

The Street Profits vs. Angel Garza and Andrade

We go back to the ring and out come RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits for this non-title match – Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Out next comes Andrade and Angel Garza with Zelina Vega. Vega and Andrade march right past Garza on the ramp as he poses. There’s some ringside tension between the two as well.

Garza says he will stat off. He faces off with Ford and taunts him by throwing his pants. Back and forth as they go at it. Ford hits a dropkick and sends Garza to the corner. Andrade tags in and they have some words. Dawkins comes in and dropkicks Andrade. Dawkins launches Andrade over his head.

Vega and Garza end up arguing at ringside for a few minutes as Andrade fails to mount a comeback in the ring. This leads to Dawkins leveling Andrade. Ford goes to the top and hits the big Frogsplash for the pin to win.

Winners: The Street Profits

– After the bell, Garza is already on the ramp, mouthing back at Vega as The Profits’ music hits. We go to replays after Ford kicks Andrade out of the ring. There’s more arguing between the two sides as Garza storms off to the back. The music suddenly hits and out comes SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura. The Street Profits look on from the ring as we go to commercial, with Cole wondering if the Brand To Brand Invitational is back.

Back from the break and both teams are in the ring. Cesaro says they were surprised to learn The Street Profits are the longest reigning RAW tag team in years. They go on and take some shots, but say they are here to show them how a real tag team should be. Cesaro says thanks to the quarterly Brand To Invitational, they are challenging Ford and Dawkins to a match for next week. The two teams trade more shots on the mic and the match is official for next week. Cesaro and Nakamura exit the ring to Nakamura’s music.

Match Number One: Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura versus Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

Gallows with a splash to Rusev when Nakamura moves. Anderson tags in and connects with a knee and round kick. Rusev tags in and Nakamura does not appreciate what Rusev did. Anderson with a rollup and Nakamura breaks up the cover. Gallows sends Nakamura to the floor and Rusev sends Gallows to the floor. Rusev is sent to the floor and Anderson with a slingshot senton.

Anderson tries to Irish whip Rusev but Rusev with an Irish whip. Anderson with a boot and he goes for a cross body but Rusev catches Anderson and hits a uranage for a near fall. Rusev kicks Anderson in the back. Nakamura tags in and kicks Anderson. Nakamura sends Anderson into the turnbuckles and chokes him. Nakamura puts Anderson on the turnbuckles and hits a running knee to the midsection. Nakamura gets a near fall and then he kicks Anderson in the head.

Anderson with a punch to Rusev and Rusev knocks Gallows off the apron. Rusev mocks Gallows with a Nakamura taunt and he gets a near fall. Nakamura tags in and he kicks Anderson. Nakamura with a front face lock. Nakamura with kicks but Anderson with a European uppercut. Nakamura with an Irish whip and he misses a splash into the corner. Anderson misses a boot and Nakamura with a reverse exploder. Nakamura runs into a spinebuster.

Rusev and Gallows tag in and Gallows with shoulder tackles followed by a kick to the head. Gallows with a splash into the corner followed by a thrust kick. Gallows with a sit out choke slam to Nakamura. Rusev and Gallows go for clotheslines and both are down. Lana tells Nakamura to get up and she tells him what to do while holding her shoe. Anderson tags in and he hits a splash on Rusev. Nakamura breaks up Magic Killer. Nakamura kicks Gallows. Anderson with a flying boot and Rusev with a Machka Kick for the three count.

Winners: Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura

Match Number Four: Rusev (with Lana) versus Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship

They lock up and Rusev backs Nakamura into the ropes but Nakamura backs Rusev into the corner and leans his head against Rusev’s chest and Rusev pushes Nakamura away and connects with punches. Nakamura with a boot but Rusev with a running shoulder tackle for a near fall. Rusev with clotheslines to the head followed by punches. Nakamura with a triangle but Rusev goes to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Nakamura chokes Rusev in the corner with his boot and then he applies a cravate. Nakamura with a snap mare but he misses a knee drop when Rusev moves. Rusev with a suplex. Rusev with a front face lock suplex followed by a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Rusev with boots to the back. Rusev with shoulders in the corner. Nakamura puts Rusev on the turnbuckles and connects with a running knee but Nakamura can only get a near fall. Nakamura with another near fall. Nakamura with a knee to the midsection and then he chokes Rusev in the ropes.

Rusev with punches but Nakamura with a knee to the chest followed by a kick. Nakamura chokes Rusev with the boot and the referee warns Nakamura. Nakamura with a choke and he gets Rusev down to a knee. Nakamura with a triangle but Rusev gets a near fall. Rusev is sent to the apron by Nakamura but Rusev with a forearm. Rusev tries to suplex Nakamura to the floor but Nakamura blocks it and Nakamura with a jumping side kick that sends Rusev off the apron to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Nakamura with knees to the head. Nakamura with a jumping knee drop for a near fall. Nakamura kicks Rusev in the head and applies a front face lock. Nakamura with a knee to the midsection and he gets Rusev back to the mat. Rusev powers out of the hold and sends Nakamura to the mat. Nakamura with kicks to the chest until Rusev blocks a kick and he hits a short arm clothesline and another clothesline. Rusev with a body block and then he connects with knees and hits a fallaway slam. Rusev with a running hip strike and running heel kick for a near fall.

Nakamura with a forearm but Rusev with a knee and round kick to the temple for a near fall. Nakamura escapes the set up for the Accolade and goes to the floor. Rusev sends Nakamura into the ringside barrier. Nakamura with a kick on the apron and then he sends Rusev into the ring steps. Nakamura sends Rusev into the announce table and then Nakamura with a knee drop to the back of the head with Rusev hanging over the apron. Nakamura goes to the turnbuckles and hits a jumping knee. Nakamura sets for Kinshasa but Rusev with a Machka Kick for a near fall.

Rusev stomps on the back and goes for the Accolade but Nakamura escapes and he applies the triangle on Rusev. Nakamura with forearms. Rusev picks up Nakamura for a one arm power bomb. Nakamura side steps Rusev when Rusev charges into the corner. Nakamura with a rollup for a near fall. Nakamura with a running knee to the head for a near fall. Nakamura sets for Kinshasa and Rusev misses a Machka Kick. Rusev with a clothesline. Rusev with a Machka Kick for the three count.

Winner: Rusev (new Champion)

After the match, Rusev celebrates in the ring with Lana.

Match Number Two: Shinsuke Nakamura versus Rusev in a Non Title Match

Nakamura attacks Rusev from behind before the bell. Nakamura with a running thrust kick. Rusev is knocked to the floor. Nakamura with another running thrust kick.

We go to commercial.

Champion vs. Champion Match: Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura went for his finisher right out of the gate but Rollins avoided it and mocked him. Nakamura with a series of strikes and kicks in the corner. Seth with a clothesline out of the corner. Seth hit a leg drop while on the apron then went for an outside dive but Nakamura kicked him in the face. Nakamura continued the beatdown that included some knee drops and a headlock. Seth attempted a comeback with a series of strikes and a sling blade then some outside dives. Back in the ring, Nakamura caught him with a knee strike to the face then to the ribs for 2. Out of nowhere,

Seth caught him with a superkick then landed a series of boots. Nakamura secured a flying ambar but Seth got out of it with a powerbomb in the corner. Nakamura with a big boot then they exchanged right hands and Nakamura hit the landslide for 2. Seth with a suplex then the falcon arrow for 2. Nakamura missed his finisher and Rollins hit a knee strike for 2. Seth missed a splash off the top rope and Nakamura hit him with a running knee strike for 2. Nakamura went for it again but Seth hit him with a kick then the curb stomp for the win.

Winner: Seth Rollins