WWE Backlash 2018: 8 Huge Predictions You Need To Know

1. Ballsy

Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE

Shinsuke Nakamura's obsession with battering AJ Styles' crotch will presumably come to a...head this weekend regardless of who limps away with the WWE Title.

Frankly, if the 'Phenomenal One' doesn't arm himself against Nakamura's arm, he deserves everything he gets. WWE couldn't have made it any clearer that the 'King Of Strong Style' will take the low road to the throne, and No Disqualification rules designed to remedy the Greatest Royal Rumble non-finish only welcome more below-the-belt brawling.

It could also favour Styles, should he think it through, but it seems likely that Shinsuke will have more in his arsenal should AJ actually invest in a protective cup. His Kinshasa is no less devastating than it was pre-heel turn, and may even have extra snap based on his new evil streak.

Outside of kayfabe, it's now make-or-break for Nakamura on the main roster anyway. He's in debt to the workrate audience since graduating from NXT as it is, and might not have the momentum for a midcard programme if he can't unseat AJ in three attempts. Styles has been a worthy titleholder, but his time will come again. A year on from his main roster maiden match, 'The Artist' simply has to ascend.

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