10 Underutilized Wrestlers In WWE (Who Could Be Stars In AEW)

As mentioned, Sami Zayn has done great work for Shinsuke thus far as his charismatic manager. The problem is the feuds he has been involved in with. The Miz and Ali already feel like an afterthought. Instead of focusing on the newfound success they have with Shinsuke and Sami (there's a sitcom idea for you, WWE), we get more of the same bad booking.

Don't forget, Shinsuke claimed the Intercontinental title off of Finn Bálor on the Extreme Rules kickoff show. Nothing new for Shinsuke though, as he won his second United States championship by defeating Rusev on Royal Rumble's pre-show in January. A man who not long ago was at the top of the card of Wrestle Kingdom with the IWGP Intercontinental championship in NJPW.

This curse really began when he first crossed over from NXT to the main roster. He was the perfect candidate to end the laughably bad Mahal WWE title reign, but instead lost to him twice. That shows where Shinsuke is on the totem pole.

This has been such an unfitting career in the United States for someone who had such a historic career in Japan. Shinsuke's deal reportedly ends in 2019, and Nakamura is likely ready to end this failed experiment.

NJPW will likely want a chance at the 39 year old veteran for another Tokyo Dome filling main event, but redemption should be on his mind. A run with AEW's hybridization of big bout Japanese wrestling and American wrestling would be the perfect fit to prove what WWE let slip through their grasp.