10 WWE Match-Ups That Were Better In Another Promotion

In 2014, the partnership between ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling was blooming. War of the Worlds at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom showed some of the best match-ups the two promotions could offer when working together.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Kevin Steen made just one match on a stacked card featuring the likes of AJ Styles, Kazuchika Okada, The Young Bucks, and even all members of NXT's Undisputed Era. It was like looking at the future of wrestling right there.

The two worked a fast white-knuckle match, with Steen using his size and striking ability to match up with Nakamura's eccentric blend of innovative offense. The match had a classic NJPW-style finish where Nakamura hit Steen with Bomaye after Bomaye, spamming that move, trying to keep the plucky canuck down.

Nakamura and Owens became regular opponents in WWE, with their match a welcome addition to any card. But Nakamura has slowed down his pace in the ring and seems to have dialled back the intensity as a result of the demanding WWE schedule. They settled into the WWE formula nicely, but their match in Hammerstein showed that they were both capable of much more with Strong Style.