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Post by The Rick Jericho on Apr 7, 2023 20:49:50 GMT -5
He's been away for a while. He had that match in Japan. They benched him for the Rumble and Wrestlemania. So perhaps Vince/HHH have a plan for him? Or is he already dead on arrival?
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Post by Malibu Albino on Apr 7, 2023 20:53:50 GMT -5
Given who is back in charge I’m gonna say he is DOA. Probably the best we’ll get is him losing to Gunther.
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Post by Instant Classic on Apr 7, 2023 22:26:26 GMT -5
Send him to Raw in the draft he’s been on Smackdown since he came to the main roster.
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Post by clc on Apr 7, 2023 22:37:17 GMT -5
A while ago, they were teasing Shinsuke vs Roman. Then they dropped it completely. I think that would be a decent filler feud to main event a B-level Premium Live Event.
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mc74
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Post by mc74 on Apr 7, 2023 22:54:42 GMT -5
At best, he'll remain in the upper midcard.
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XIII
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Post by XIII on Apr 7, 2023 23:07:05 GMT -5
I can see him being cannon fodder for Solo at some point. A good wrestler with a bit of credibility for a nice win for Solo.
Other than that, maybe in a tag team I don’t see many options in the singles. He might get a match with Gunther and that’s about it. I doubt he works with Theory. So he’ll probably just be hanging out.
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Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]
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Post by Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] on Apr 7, 2023 23:07:52 GMT -5
I'm honestly shocked he didn't go back to Japan already, I thought that was what his big break was gonna lead to...
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Apr 7, 2023 23:09:02 GMT -5
I think that time has passed by and given his age and performance lately, I don't think that's necessarily the wrong thing to do. He should be used as a Rey type - guy who's over who is kept credible enough to put other people over.
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Chiral
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Post by Chiral on Apr 7, 2023 23:09:26 GMT -5
A while ago, they were teasing Shinsuke vs Roman. Then they dropped it completely. I think that would be a decent filler feud to main event a B-level Premium Live Event. The only time they ran it during this title reign was a Tribute to the Troops main event that went about how you'd expect WWE booking a feel good holiday soldier tribute show to go. I forget if it was before or after the teases for the Rumble match (Shinsuke won a gauntlet I think before...Pearce somehow won it or something?)
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Post by Final Countdown Jones on Apr 7, 2023 23:26:24 GMT -5
I know Shinsuke's happy to just do his thing and surf while collecting a big paycheck for what is undoubtedly way less brutal a style than what he'd be doing if he was still working New Japan, but it still feels shitty to see someone with his credentials be used as A Guy and not even really get some semblance of a big run. The main roster never really put the effort into building up much aura for him but even a washed Shinsuke Nakamura can have presence out the ass that they could have done something with even just for a little bit.
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Urethra Franklin
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Post by Urethra Franklin on Apr 7, 2023 23:50:12 GMT -5
The thing about Nakamura is that it wouldn’t take a lot to heat him up.
He’s super charismatic and always over.
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Post by King Devitt and the Woke Mob on Apr 8, 2023 0:17:11 GMT -5
The thing about Nakamura is that it wouldn’t take a lot to heat him up. He’s super charismatic and always over. Exactly. Hell his match with Muta he looked like a goddam megastar. If they present him like one, he'll be one. I just hope they don't Asuka him upon return, where they ruin his shine, and big re-debut at the expense of....probably Roman...or just do nothing at all with him.
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Post by polarbearpete on Apr 8, 2023 8:46:26 GMT -5
I know Shinsuke's happy to just do his thing and surf while collecting a big paycheck for what is undoubtedly way less brutal a style than what he'd be doing if he was still working New Japan, but it still feels shitty to see someone with his credentials be used as A Guy and not even really get some semblance of a big run. The main roster never really put the effort into building up much aura for him but even a washed Shinsuke Nakamura can have presence out the ass that they could have done something with even just for a little bit. He’s gone up and down throughout his WWE run. He’s definitely had plenty of shine (world title matches, great tag and midcard title runs, etc). I think after they didn’t give him the title when he feuded with Styles, he was kind of destined to be in that upper midcard/lower main event slot. Wonder how they’ll present him starting next week, as far as what level of talent he’ll feud with.
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Post by papagiorgio on Apr 8, 2023 9:00:30 GMT -5
I could see him on the losing end of a feud with Roman. They could turn him heal at some point down the road. I think he could have some upper level feuds, but his chance at being world champion in WWE has sailed.
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Post by chronocross on Apr 8, 2023 9:01:33 GMT -5
I think he should go to Raw as he's been on Smackdown since his main roster debut. You can probably have him feud with Theory for a bit over the U.S title.
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Post by Gerard Gerard on Apr 8, 2023 9:01:52 GMT -5
A while ago, they were teasing Shinsuke vs Roman. Then they dropped it completely. I think that would be a decent filler feud to main event a B-level Premium Live Event. If I recall correctly, the entire reason he went face again was due to crossing Bloodline. It was then dropped without explanation. Not exactly saying Nakamura was ever firing on all cylinders in his time in WWE but the company really struggled to understand to the dude’s aura. Also, rocked some of the worst attires in the game for some reason.
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J is Justice
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Post by J is Justice on Apr 8, 2023 9:01:54 GMT -5
Man, I'd love nothing more than a Naka title run. I hope he comes back with his old epic intro at least.
Edit: Oh God, could you imagine if he came back with a shitty new theme?
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Post by clc on Apr 8, 2023 9:16:33 GMT -5
Man, I'd love nothing more than a Naka title run. I hope he comes back with his old epic intro at least. Edit: Oh God, could you imagine if he came back with a shitty new theme? They are going to get rid of his theme aren't they
I kind of want a Nakamura vs Seth Rollins feud. The crowds singing along to the the themes!
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Post by Main Event Mark on Apr 8, 2023 12:24:24 GMT -5
I'm a Nakamura fan for sure, but there was something special with him, Boogz and McAfee on commentary.
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Post by Gerard Gerard on Apr 15, 2023 11:50:03 GMT -5
So, he has returned with both the catsuit and a feud with Karrion Kross, quite literally, on the cards.
Hope is so fleeting, isn't it?
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