Ranking Shinsuke Nakamura’s 10 Best WWE Matches So Far
6. Vs Samoa Joe (NXT TV, December 7th 2016)
Having finally had an encounter able of reaching the almost impossible expectations set by their killer auras on NXT, the pressure had been relieved when Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura took their tour-de-force to Osaka, Japan for the group's first ever tour of the far east.
In front of his countrymen for the first time since exiting New Japan Pro Wrestling, Nakamura was elevated to a platform even greater than that of his status in North America. Now a 'Superstar' as well as a Strong Style icon, Shinsuke embodied the battling babyface role better than just about any other time he'd attempted it in his nine months with organisation.
The atmosphere was unlike anything WWE were capable of creating at their TakeOver specials. Effectively fought as part of a Japanese house show, the match was a dimly lit, understated triumph, with a low energy crowd drawn further and further in as the battle continued.
Physically drained from another bruising battle, Nakamura managed to lift Joe over his head in the closing moments before his knee buckled, instantly flooring him and sending the 'Samoan Submission Machine' cascading out to the floor. Smelling blood, Nakamura risked further injury by rolling the dazed champion back into the ring, leathering him with a knee strike and Kinshasa to reclaim the title he'd relinquished just weeks earlier.