9 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Nov 27)

4. Nakamura Destroys Rusev

Shinsuke Nakamura Rusev
WWE.com

As great as it would have been to see Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev wrestle a full United States Title clash, what we got in the match's place was entirely effective.

'The King Of Strong Style' attacked before the bout could get started. He battered and bludgeoned Rusev all over the place, knocking him to the floor with a Kinshasa. This wasn't deemed enough. Another followed on the outside, with Nakamura ignoring the officials' protestations, before backing up the ramp with the United States strap held high, his dominance secured.

Shinsuke's never going to be the violent delight he was in New Japan, but segments like this hark back to the brutal brilliance that made him so captivating in the first place. Though he has declined, his value as a performer is still evident, and after their underrated Fastlane scrap earlier this year, Nakamura and Rusev should deliver the goods at TLC (if that's where they end up facing).

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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.