WWE Draft 2016: Predicting The 6 NXT Wrestlers Who'll Be Drafted
4. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE signed Shinsuke Nakamura as a readymade superstar, and he’s taken to the WWE wrestling style like a duck to water. After stealing the show with Sami Zayn at TakeOver: Dallas, The King of Strong Style has slotted effortlessly into NXT through his character work, rockstar charisma, and high-profile matches with Austin Aries and Finn Balor.
Other than using him to bolster star power on a post-Draft NXT roster, there’s little reason to keep Nakamura in developmental any longer. He has spent the last decade building his name and fine-tuning his act all across the globe, and is one of the consensus “best wrestlers in the world” for a reason. Few can match Nakamura’s big match performances, and should he be called-up, he will attempt to steal the show on every single pay-per-view.
Shinsuke Nakamura was born to perform on big stages. While he’s formed an instant connection with the Full Sail audience, his New Japan Pro Wrestling work shows an ability to capture the imagination of even the largest crowds. Nakamura’s presence commands attention, he’s the best showman in the business, and he will soar on the main roster if given the chance.
There are a few things working against him, however. Nakamura has made no secret of his intention to pursue Samoa Joe’s NXT Championship and thus has unfinished business down in Orlando, and WWE doesn’t have the best track record with booking Japanese wrestlers. Still, Kevin Owens continued to work in NXT several months after making his main roster debut, and Nakamura isn’t Yoshi Tatsu or Kenzo Suzuki. He has everything he needs to make it in WWE: it’s just a matter of time.