5 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Oct 8)

Downs...

5. So Much For That

King Nakamura Rick Boogs Adam Pearce
WWE

Michael Cole announced that 'King' Nakamura had "abdicated" his crown before SmackDown "out of respect to the King Of The Ring tournament". Eh? Why would he do that, and why did WWE think this'd get fans excited to see the next crowning?

One picture, of Naka handing his crown to Adam Pearce, washed away any hopes of seeing a 'King vs. King' rivalry post-tourney. Also, why didn't they just put Shinsuke in the brackets to tease him retaining the title of 'King'? So many questions, so few answers.

This was a puzzling decision.

It hardly inspires confidence in this year's KOTR winner that the crown went from Baron Corbin to Nakamura and then into nothingness. Some fans won't like the thought that this means the tournament victor will defo be handed the hokey royal gimmick again either.

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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.