Ranking Shinsuke Nakamura’s 10 Best WWE Matches So Far
7. Vs Samoa Joe (NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn)
Shinsuke Nakamura was destined to main event NXT's WrestleMania-esque TakeOver: Brooklyn 2 WWE Network special from the moment he arrived on the developmental brand.
After Samoa Joe took the title from Finn Balor and conclusively defeated him at TakeOver: The End, there was nobody that could touch the 'Samoan Submission Machine' beyond the celebrated 'King of Strong Style'.
Both had been red hot since their differing nights in Dallas four months earlier, but anticipation had been raised to such a height that the two ultimately fell marginally below forecasts despite producing a hugely enjoyable encounter. Re-watched outside of the prism of the brand's output at the time, the contest is infinitely more satisfying, and a noble effort in meeting the lofty expectations placed on both.
The match saw Joe underestimate his improbable conqueror. Drunk on overconfidence from his man-handlings of 'The Demon King', Joe gradually unravelled underneath the pressure of his hardship.
Showing grit and determination exhibited in his NXT debut (more on that later), Nakamura fought through Joe's unrelenting attacks and refused to stay down after a series of big attacks from the champion.
Enveloped in exhaustion and inertia, Joe only had his biggest weapons left, and looked visibly defeated when the challenger kicked out of a powerful Muscle Buster. The crowd shared Joe's shock, and spontaneously began singing Nakamura's entrance music as a soundtrack to the champion's eventual demise.
The weakened Joe fell back on failed Muscle Buster attempt, but powered out of Shinsuke's instinctive Kinshasa in a spine-tingling nearfall. With Joe appearing to nurse a broken jaw, Nakamura struck with a shot to the back of Joe's head and a decisive second Kinshasa for the victory.