Five Things Wrong with Shinsuke Nakamura's US Title Reign

Looking back through Shinsuke Nakamura’s WWE career so far, it’s an interesting series of events. His NXT run was simply fantastic. Full of solid storytelling, two championship reigns, and an array of excellent matches its no wonder fans are surprised to see him in the position he now finds himself in over on Smackdown LIVE. Since joining the main roster, the WWE has continued to “fail” the former NJPW star and despite being the current United States Champion he continues to fade into the background on Tuesday nights. In today’s blog post we are going to be looking at Nakamura’s US title reign and discussing where the WWE is going wrong and why this run as champ isn’t going very well.

Constantly Overshadowed

One of the biggest issues Nakamura faces is being overshadowed. Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy played a huge part in Nakamura’s first few weeks of being champion, but it was only a matter of time before the two future Hall of Famers began to overshadow the champ and found themselves involved in their own rivalry away from the US Championship. The Smackdown LIVE roster is jam-packed full of such fantastic talent including Nakamura but better booking for none title holders including Andrade Cien Almas, The Miz, Jeff Hardy, and Daniel Bryan to name just a few are overshadowing him massively and in his own US title feud with Orton and Hardy he faded into the background until he literally wasn’t even there/involved.

Lack of Challengers

As we just mentioned, the Smackdown LIVE roster is full of talent! The blue brand really doe have some amazing superstars competing every week but Nakamura as champion isn’t receiving many challengers for his title what so ever. Both the Miz and Daniel Bryan haven’t gone near the title since Shinsuke has been champion and instead involved in a much more interesting feud of their own without a title involved. There’s a strong lack of babyfaces who can take on the champ and the WWE are failing to provide Shinsuke with an opponent he could truly work an epic rivalry with. Is this because of his role as a heel? Or the lack of babyfaces? Or simply the lack of interest the WWE and fans really have in this reign? Regardless, there are many superstars Nakamura could work massively successful matches against its just about the WWE giving him those challengers.

No Consistent Storyline’s

This next point ties in with the last as we move on to touch on the issues regarding consistent storylines. The fact is he hasn’t been involved in one in a very long time. Again, overshadowing comes into play massively but it’s not impossible for the WWE to give him solid storyline fans can invest in. Nakamura’s title reign really could turn around for the better if they simply placed him in a solid storyline. A good opponent that makes sense and a strong story is all that’s needed to turn things around and ensure the WWE get the best out of their champ. Whether it be a singles storyline the spans over the course of months or open challenge bouts that have in recent years made the title mean something, regardless, a storyline of some sense that’s consistent and easy to invest in Is massively needed!

Missing Out on PPVs

In all honesty, I can’t remember the last time Shinsuke Nakamura defended his United States champion on PPV or at a Network special and that is a major issue. He doesn’t defend his title enough, he isn’t put on our screens enough, and he most certainly does not feature at major events enough! This has contributed to not only why fans have a lack of interest but why he and this title reign have become so forgettable. He hasn’t been made a key and important feature on Smackdown LIVE and missing out on so many PPV’s and special shows have only discredited the title and him as a superstar.

A Forgotten Championship

There is no denying the United States Championship has a purpose. There are an array of storyline’s, opponents, and ways in which the champ is booked that can make this title mean something and really become a key figure on the weekly product. John Cena is a prime example in how you make the US Championship really mean something and Nakamura’s reign is the complete opposite. Fans have begun to forget about the title, it’s lacking credibility, respect, and if the WWE book the champ like they don’t care all too much for the championship then why should fans care?

And that is today’s blog post! I personally really do believe things can turn around for both Shinsuke Nakamura and the United States championship itself. In the coming weeks, I’m going to be diving into this topic, even more, looking at opponents the champ needs to challenge as well as ways things can turn around! As always I would love to know what you guys think so feel free to leave a comment below!

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