5 Reasons Shinsuke Nakamura Shouldn't Become WWE Champ At SummerSlam 2017

2. Promos Are A Big Part Of Being Champion

Shinsuke Nakamura Renee Young
WWE

When Nakamura reigned supreme as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, his matches told the story. That's the main difference between NJPW and WWE: in McMahon-land, promos and character mean much more than in-ring psychology or amazing wrestling ability. If you're going to have only one key attribute, being able to talk is king.

Shinsuke is at a natural disadvantage there, because English obviously isn't his native language. Listening to Nakamura on Chris Jericho's podcast reveals that he can get by in conversation, but WWE clearly don't have much confidence in his ability to cut a blistering promo, otherwise he would have done so by now.

As WWE Champion, Nakamura would have to talk. Short, cute interviews like the one he recently cut on John Cena ("You Can't See Me") won't be enough should Shinsuke hold the WWE Title. As harsh as it may sound, Nakamura shouldn't be champion until both he and WWE are comfortable enough with his English that he can hang with others on the mic.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.