10 Precise Moments Wrestling Fans Rejected Internet Darlings

6. Shinsuke Nakamura - WWE WrestleMania 34

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WWE.com

And everything will proceed cyclically.

In 2017, Dolph Ziggler became the de facto 'WWE guy' when the more fashionable Shinsuke Nakamura defeated him at Backlash in a shockingly average encounter. It was felt that maybe Ziggler had become jaded, or that this was Nakamura being told to slow it down and make the crowd wait for it as an early main roster "test".

Still, fans persisted. It wasn't the first time WWE, a wrestling promotion, had conspired to make a world class talent look mid. The failure of the subsequent programme with Jinder Mahal was naturally blamed on Jinder, who couldn't be elevated, and fans were thus still behind Nakamura as he capped off an electrifying final four to win the 2018 Royal Rumble.

This was it; took a year longer than it should have, but really, given Roman Reigns' career arc, Nakamura was rocket-strapped by modern WWE standards. Positioned in a can't-fail spot, opposite known, incredible opponent AJ Styles in front of 60,000+ fans, Nakamura failed.

The match was a dull, lethargic sequel to their blistering NJPW Wrestle Kingdom encounter, and the penny dropped: Nakamura hadn't been "main rostered", but was all too happy working the WWE style.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!