10 Worst WWE Matches Of 2018

5. AJ Styles Vs Shinsuke Nakamura (Backlash)

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WWE Network

Live not in hope, but of fear that WWE one day signs The Elite.

Ignoring the superb timing of the double d*ck kick that reduced a tragi-comedy to pure farce, the third of five deeply disappointing WWE encounters between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura was the worst of the bunch because of how laboured the focus was on each man's targeted todger.

Styles should have known better, of course. 'The King Of Strong Style' had been relentless in his assaults on AJ's assets since his WrestleMania heel turn, and whilst Shinsuke performed his new duties with a certain style, there was an unshakeable air of awkward disappointment about the entire angle as a result.

Why didn't Nakamura just try and outwrestle him as he'd done once in New Japan Pro Wrestling and nearly did again at the 'Show Of Shows'? Upon turning to the dark side, why didn't up the viciousness of the weapons already at his disposal instead of trading said sick kicks for under-cracker uppercuts? And why - why the f*cking f*ck - did AJ Styles never ever even once wear a cup?

Backlash was an upsettingly poor card (more on that later), but this dreary and dire duel was the contest that proffered the grisly reality that any dynamic performers can have their balls cut off - or fist-flattened - by WWE.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett