8 Ups & 11 Downs For WWE In 2018 (So Far)

7. Nakamura Vs. Styles Disappoints

AJ Styles Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles was THE WWE dream match from the moment both arrived. 'The King Of Strong Style's' developmental run prevented instant gratification, but excitement levels hit fever pitch when they came together for an electric Money In The Bank 2017 showdown. WWE dangled the carrot again several times over the coming months, then, finally, Nakamura won the 2018 Royal Rumble, immediately naming Styles as his WrestleMania opponent. The feud was on, and it was going to blow everything else on the main roster away.

But it didn't.

Their WWE Championship programme was a disappointment, yielding only "good" matches when fans rightly expected excellence. Their in-ring output wasn't bad, but it was in a different universe to their epic NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10 showdown, and while age and WWE's restrictive style played a part in this, so too did the bookers.

The feud quickly turned into a one-note d***-punch fest with no depth, no hooks, and no real progression, yet WWE still dragged it out over several months. That many fans would be praying for the end long before the feud concluded was inconceivable after the Rumble, but it happened.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.