10 Fun Facts From My Trip To WWE WrestleMania 32
6. Shinsuke Nakamura Steals My Heart
I've not watched too much Japanese wrestling over the years, it's just never something that I'd been able to get into. That is until Jim Ross commentated on Wrestle Kingdom 9 and I decided to give it a go. The event was enjoyable, but then I saw Shinsuke Nakamura and could feel myself hooked by his charisma, hard hitting style, and superstar-like qualities.
Fast forward a year and to my utter shock, WWE signed Nakamura and announced his debut match would take place at NXT Takeover, at WrestleMania weekend, against Sami Zayn. As much of a sports entertainment aficionado as I like to think I am, the one match that weekend that I knew would blow everything out of the water was the battle between the former El Generico and The King of Strong Style.
As I sat there in the arena while Sami Zayn made his usual high energy entrance, there was an electric atmosphere in the building. Everyone felt they were about to witness something special. This would be something we'd be talking about for years to come. The lights went out, lasers flashed through the arena, and Nakamura made his entrance to a thunderous ovation.
The match itself lived up to every expectation I had of it in my head and then some. Coming out of the Kay Bailey Center I couldn't help but think of all the dream matches I'd like to see him have on the main roster.
Nakamura stole my heart that night and I can't wait to see where he goes next.