3 Ups And 2 Downs From NXT (December 14)

by Michael Sidgwick

1. The Rebirth Of Nakamura

Nakamura Kinshasa
WWE.com

Shinsuke Nakamura’s TakeOver: Dallas bow was so rewarding because he didn’t just introduce himself to the WWE audience - he introduced (or more accurately, made his own) the Strong Style with which he carved himself out as the greatest cult sensation of the decade.

His match, opposite Sami Zayn, was contrapositive to the WWE norm in that he was nominally a babyface - and received as such - but he influenced proceedings to an extent usually commanded by the heel. He blurred that black and white demarcation to scintillating, novel effect. By Summer, however, Nakamura was in danger of becoming consumed by the WWE machine and spat out as a typical, offence-eating underdog - one who relied on audience support to galvanise him.

In last night’s quietly awesome steel cage match, Nakamura handily avoided such typecasting by enjoying a good 80% of the contest. Without the steel steps to equalise Nakamura’s superiority, the beleaguered Joe was set upon in what was a squash both protracted and brutal. Nakamura’s rope walk/top-rope Kinshasa combo was deadly - bur even more rewarding was his refusal to walk out of the cage. Nakamura was not content to defeat Joe - in smashing him with two more Kinshasas, he obliterated him.

The structure was imposed politically - Joe is likely bound for the main roster, and selflessly sacrificed himself to Swagsuke on his way out - but it was a cathartic reminder of why we fell in love with the King in the first place.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!