10 Wrestlers Whose Entrances Were Better Than Their Matches
10. Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura embodies charisma in his entrances, with his body trembling movements (inspired by musicians like Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury) and his ‘Shadows Of A Setting Sun’ theme music being a beloved favourite for fans. Even though it’s lyricless, fans sing his theme in unison even after it’s stopped playing in arenas. And the times he’s had violinist Lee England Jr. accompanying him/playing his theme have been spectacular, like at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II and SummerSlam (2017).
The King of Strong Style Shinsuke Nakamura’s WWE run on the main roster has had a mixed critical reaction. Whilst in New Japan Pro-Wrestling Nakamura was a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, winner of the 2011 G1 Climax/2014 New Japan Cup and was the company’s headline attraction/star for numerous years, aka he was the man.
But on WWE’s main roster he’s only had snippets of reaching the headline status he was accustomed to in NJPW, like winning the Royal Rumble (2018) only to then have a disappointing feud with AJ Styles that centred on low blowing each other for months afterwards. And since then he’s been relegated to mid card matches that have produced mid card performances. If only WWE could capitalize on his entrance like NXT/NJPW did and book him properly.
Dave Meltzer noted on Nakamura’s recent lack of quality performances:
“He’s not doing anything. He’s checked out. He’s just out there to… his family likes Florida. He’s out there to surf. He’s kinda on his pension now, you know what I mean?”