New Japan Pro Wrestling have stripped Shinsuke Nakamura of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. It has also been confirmed that his final show is January 30 at Korakuen Hall. As of February, he'll then be free to join WWE. It had originally been thought that Nakamura would drop the belt in the ring. New Japan's decision to outright strip him of the gold, could be an indication of heat on him for the way he has gone about signing with WWE. There'll be a few more shows before his deal is done, and then he'll be heading to North America. The insider indication from Dave Meltzer is that WWE signed the talented grappler for the main roster, although he could do a short stint in NXT to get used to the North American style. If he does go to NXT, it won't be for long. The other plan is to have him as a singles wrestler, there's no plan to have him as part of the Bullet Club / Balor Club angle. That same statement is true of AJ Styles. Nakamura's chances in the US are uncertain, but clearly he felt it was a risk worth taking. Nakamura's compatriot, KENTA, was a huge star in Japan, but has floundered since becoming Hideo Itami in WWE. Even before his injury, he was struggling to connect, due to the language barrier and WWE's enforced style. Nakamura will have to rise above these drawbacks, if he is to find success on WWE's main roster.
