30 WWE Images That Defined 2016
13. Nakamura Vanquishes Joe
Shinsuke Nakamura celebrates with the NXT Championship, having defeated Samoa Joe at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II.
In pro wrestling, a challenger going into a title match as heavy favourite is a rarity - particularly when it's their first shot at the belt. The same can't be said of Shinsuke Nakamura's clash against Samoa Joe, as the former NJPW standout had been portrayed as pretty much untouchable during his time in NXT.
Just as many expected, Nakamura defeated Joe in their sickeningly stiff Brooklyn encounter - but surprises were to follow. First, the new champ lost his title back to Joe at TakeOver: Toronto, before winning it back in front of a partisan home ground during NXT's tour of Japan. Although top dog once again, his invincible aura was broken.