10 Wrestlers Who Cracked WWE's Secret Code

5. Shinsuke Nakamura

That there's still a clamour for Shinsuke Nakamura to get a stronger push on SmackDown almost six years after it became clear that 'The King of Strong Style' wasn't going to be A Thing in WWE shows that while only echoes of venerated former self remain, the 42-year-old has cracked the code of connection.

Nakamura didn't come to WWE to put his body through the wringer in blistering but physically devastated strong style matches. No, he swapped Japan for the United States for a life less punishing. With his exceptional debut opposite Sami Zayn as the obvious exception, Nakamura has coasted primarily on charisma and personality for the bulk of his run, occasionally excelling in high-profile matches but never to the same extent as he did in NJPW. This works in spite of his incredible New Japan record because traditionally excellent matches aren't a prerequisite for success in WWE. Nakamura likely figured this out before he even arrived on American shores.

He has earned his current role. Like NJPW's other top stars, Nakamura dealt with the intense physical toll the house style enacts on its most celebrated practitioners by taking it easy between big shows, standing on the apron of multi-mans to preserve his body. WWE doesn't come with the same stress. Nakamura knows he can live a happy, fulfilling life that perhaps lacks the highs of before, but suits him greatly as he approaches his 20th year as a wrestler.