Analysing WWE’s 10 Most-Viewed YouTube Videos Of 2017

6. Nakamura's SmackDown Live! Debut (SmackDown Live!, April 4th) - 10,189,083 Views

And speaking of desperately disappointing mysteries, it's bewildering as to why on earth somebody didn't keep a tighter grip on everything that made Shinsuke Nakamura so utterly mesmerising in NXT.

Over ten million members of the 'WWE Universe' clicked through to hear the strained violins and screeching melodies of his theme interrupt The Miz and Maryse during an in-ring takedown of John Cena and Nikki Bella, all set to the glee of the last survivors of WrestleMania weekend in Orlando.

He didn't actually do anything beyond that on the night itself, but that was precisely all he needed to do.

A sold out SmackDown Live! arena (remember those?) went bonkers for his every move before the show cut to commercial much as a YouTube video would before visitors were tempted to click elsewhere.

If his Hell In A Cell loss to Jinder Mahal is anything to go by, WWE have well and truly butchered the magic the 'King Of Strong Style' brought with him from celebrated runs in New Japan Pro Wrestling and their own in-house league. Just how many of those millions that saw his awe-inspiring arrival even watch the show he's on, let alone sing his enchanting entrance tune.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett