6 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (14 Mar - Results & Review)

3. Priest & Nakamura Never Really Get Going

Damian Priest Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

This guy was rubbing his hands together in glee once Damian Priest vs. Shinsuke Nakamura was announced by GM Nick Aldis during a backstage staredown skit. Surely Naka, fresh off losing the United States Title to LA Knight, would have something to prove. Similarly, Priest is keen to show that he deserves permanent residence in the top line mix. This match was going to be a good 'un, right?

Wrong.

Look, it was never outright terrible, but Priest vs. Nakamura was 90% slog until the final few minutes threatened to rescue things. Personally, there are no issues with booking this sort of match or with Drew McIntyre rushing in to cause the DQ, but it'd be a lie to say Damian and Shinsuke looked like they had any chemistry. That's a pity, because they seemed like a match made in heaven - big powerhouse who can shift vs. a crafty, strike-based veteran like Naka? It should've worked.

Sadly, most of the match slowed to a crawl as everyone waited around for Drew to run in once he appeared with a wave at the announce desk. The obvious upcoming disqualification didn't kill the segment (McIntyre's beatdown was ace), but it didn't do enough to save the day either.

This was an off night for two top workers. Priest and Nakamura never really got going before the referee told them to take it home and Drew sprinted in to make Damian's life a misery. Their match at 'Mania should be a vast improvement, but it sucks that Shinsuke had a stinker here so soon after dropping gold.

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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.