10 Awesome Ways Wrestling Champions Elevated Titles
6. Shinsuke Nakamura: Outshone The Main Eventers
A far bigger success as IWGP Intercontinental Champion than with the WWE equivalent belt, Shinsuke Nakamura was never New Japan's true ace but came mighty close between 2012 and 2016, becoming the 1B to Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada's 1A.
'The King Of Strong Style' made the Intercontinental Championship. First taking it from perennial bridesmaid Hirooki Goto in July 2012, his five runs took what was supposed to be a secondary prize to stunning new heights. So strong were his performances and popularity that it was often considered an accolade on par with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship itself and it says a lot that while names like Tanahashi, Kenny Omega, and Tetsuya Naito have held the IC Title since Nak left for WWE, it has never truly felt the same.
Nakamura's biggest vote of Intercontinental confidence came at Wrestle Kingdom 8 where, in an unprecedented move, his defence against Tanahashi headlined over Okada and Naito's Heavyweight Title fight. The main event slot was put to a fan vote when Naito had failed to catch on as a top babyface. Shinsuke and 'The High-Flying Star' won out and while this had much to do with Naito's failure, that it was even considered speaks to the great work Nakamura had done with the strap.