10 Glorious Things That Must Happen In WWE Before 2017
3. Shinsuke Nakamura Becomes WWE's Michael Jackson
Shinsuke Nakamura isn’t a “developmental” wrestler, but it’s arguable that NXT isn’t even a developmental brand anymore. The show has taken on a new lease of life with world-travelled veterans like Nakamura, Samoa Joe, and Austin Aries, and it’s become just as much a viable touring brand of its own as it is a place for younger workers to hone their craft.
That being said, Nakamura is wasted at Full Sail University. He’s hugely over with the crowd and a real cult figure in the WWE Universe, but he’s a born big-stage performer who’s used to selling-out gigantic arenas like the Tokyo Dome for NJPW. You can argue that Nakamura had to undergo an NXT run to learn the WWE style and improve his English, but what does it matter? He’s already proven himself as a successful performer through WWE’s lens, and it’s time to move him up.
Aside from his unique wrestling style, Nakamura is buoyed by his electric charisma. Reminiscent of a young Freddie Mercury, he’s the kind of performer you just can’t take your eyes off, and his flamboyant personality is incredibly infectious. NXT Title or no NXT Title, The King of Strong Style needs to be performing on the world’s biggest stages, and that should happen before the year’s end.
On the main roster, Shinsuke Nakamura can become WWE’s Michael Jackson: a vibrant, larger than life performer whose magnetism transcends mere technical skill. Why keep him from fulfilling his natural role any longer?