10 Reasons Why WWE’s Future Is Brighter Than You Might Think

3. We're Slowly Shifting Away From The Trademark WWE In-Ring Style

Shinsuke Nakamura Kevin Owens
WWE.com

Slow is the word; Shinsuke Nakamura is an entirely different and far less dynamic beast than he was in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

It's not hard to see why WWE demands their performers tone down the intensity. The touring schedule is insane. Those under WWE contract are put through a particularly brutal wringer; with no multiple multi-man tag bouts with which to keep Nakamura fresh, as NJPW did in a Japanese landscape not driven by episodic television, he understandably isn't permitted to unleash the full, scary extent of himself on SmackDown. A full, unabridged return to his sh*t-kicking oeuvre must be reserved for the biggest shows.

Still, his signature was inconceivable three years ago - the implementation of his Strong Style stiffness even less so, given the scorn with which the hard-hitting Daniel Bryan was booked until WWE felt no choice but to avert disaster at WrestleMania XXX.

Things are different now. The increased appetite for athleticism and authenticity means the days of Vladimir Kozlov are all but over. 205 Live is a pale and slow imitation of the indy style it has adopted - but that it even exists is a sign of progress. At this rate of evolution - if it survives - it may yet live up to its billing as the most exciting hour on television.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!