10 Best Gimmicks In WWE Right Now

9. Shinsuke Nakamura

braun strowman payback
WWE.com

While Shinsuke Nakamura's gimmick doesn't come off as strongly in WWE as it did in NJPW, it has still made him one of the most popular wrestlers in the world's biggest wrestling promotion. His magnetic charisma, showmanship, and flamboyant mannerisms have created a megastar, and even though his in-ring performances have dropped throughout his WWE run, Nakamura's strength of character is enough to supersede this.

His 'King Of Strong Style' nickname is something of a ruse, as Nak's WWE arsenal bears only a passing resemblance to the approach masterminded by Antonio Inoki in New Japan. Regardless, character work greatly outweighs in-ring action in Shinsuke's current home promotion, and he has that aspect of his performance down to a tee.

Nakamura is a rockstar. He's Freddie Mercury if the Queen frontman developed the ability to kick another man's head off, and swapped stadium stages for squared circles. His aura and mystique have suffered through overexposure on his main roster, but that's a fault of WWE's exhausting programming schedule, not Nak himself. He remains an eye-catching presence regardless, and one of the main reasons to persist with SmackDown's declining product.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.