6 Huge First-Time Matches WWE Have Totally Wasted In 2017
4. Randy Orton Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Yes, Randy Orton faced Shinsuke Nakamura in a SmackDown main event, and yes, it was a number one contender's match. If you spotted the pattern, congratulations.
This one wasn't on the same level as Randy's bout with AJ Styles or Nakamura's against Cena. Instead, it was about what you'd expect from two wrestlers with notable reputations for taking it easy between the ropes. That's not to say they mailed it in, but it wasn't anywhere close to athletic as the Styles bout, nor was it as dramatic as Nak vs. Cena, though the crowd were thoroughly invested throughout.
Nakamura took the victory after countering an RKO into a Backstabber, then hitting his Kinshasa knee for the 1, 2, 3. He'll challenge for Jinder Mahal's WWE Championship on 8 October's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view as a result, and while Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens has already been confirmed to take place inside the structure, there's a strong chance Shinsuke vs. Jinder will get the HIAC treatment too. Perhaps the glory of him potentially becoming WWE Champion will supersede the disappointing waste of a clash with Orton.