10 Wrestling Characters Which Just Aren’t Working Right Now
9. Shinsuke Nakamura
Current Character: Background Artist
The Artist Collective was a fun enough idea when Sami Zayn, Cesaro (we'll get to him) and Shinsuke Nakamura first decided to group together and take SmackDown by storm. However, that storm has still yet to really hit.
Nakaura held the IC belt for an uneventful spell and then, after he lost it to Braun Strowman and Zayn won it back a few weeks later, he was firmly relegated to background artist. Himself and Cesaro - two of the most distinct and talented performers in the company - now simply act as back-up for the mouthy Zayn, which is an absolute waste of their potential.
Future Character: Mercenary
With Zayn understandably opting to stay at home during the current global situation, we could finally see Nakamura given the attention he deserves on the blue show. He doesn't need to be cutting promos on Strowman every week or wandering into the Firefly Funhouse, just have him kneeing dudes in the face and doing whatever he wants for whoever he wants - providing they pay him what he's owed.
He has the potential to be one of the most badass free spirits in the wrestling world and if WWE pull the trigger now, a mercenary 'King of Strong Style' may be the kick up the arse SmackDown so desperately needs.