10 Ways WWE Screwed Up At Battleground 2017

7. A Feud Neither Can Afford To Lose

Jinder Mahal Battleground 2017
WWE.com

There’s a growing feeling among fans that Shinsuke Nakamura hasn’t been showing his best work in WWE. His debut against Sami Zayn was fantastic, but every feud since has brought diminishing returns. That’s not to say that his Bobby Roode and Samoa Joe rivalries were duds, but the matches were several levels below what we’d expect from a man of his talents, and last night’s match with Baron Corbin was Nakamura’s dullest yet.

‘The Lone Wolf’ can’t even be blamed for this. He’s a basic wrestler, but he was in solid form at Battleground, particularly while bantering with the fans. Nakamura, on the other hand, was lethargic, uninspired, and light years away from the star he was in NJPW

The outcome saw Corbin take a DQ loss for low-blowing Shinsuke. The feud continues, but to what end? If Nakamura wins, WWE once again fall into the trap of making their Money In The Bank winners look weak, and if Baron is triumphant, it’s a flat way to end ‘The King Of Strong Style’s’ undefeated streak. Unfortunately, WWE have booked themselves into a corner with this feud, which will inevitably harm a wrestler who can’t afford to lose at the moment.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.