WWE Extreme Rules 2018: 10 Things That Must Happen

6. Shinsuke Nakamura Becomes United States Champ

Jeff Hardy Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Whilst it does seem a bit rich to suggest that fellow Royal Rumble winner Asuka shouldn't become SmackDown Women's Champion at Extreme Rules in one breath then state that Shinsuke Nakamura should bag the United States Title in another, this writer stands by that claim.

Nakamura needs a win more than his compatriot, and it's not as though Jeff Hardy's career hinges on holding SmackDown's secondary prize.

After losing WWE Title match after WWE Title match over the past year, Nakamura deserves something that signifies faith from the creative team. His run as a heel has been excellent, so he should be rewarded for turning his career around there. Plus, he'd be a riot as a cowardly champion, and there'd be scope for him to rename the title to WWE Japanese Champion.

Sure, that flirts a little with xenophobia, but it'd fit in with Shinsuke's playful misunderstanding of the English language and give him a unique selling point on Tuesday nights. Why not? Hardy isn't doing anything meaningful with the title anyway.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.