WWE Royal Rumble 2018: 10 Worst Possible Outcomes

4. Shinsuke Nakamura Is Left Looking Redundant

Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Following this week's SmackDown, we only know that John Cena, Elias, Finn Bálor, Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton and Baron Corbin are definite for the male Royal Rumble. 12 months ago, people were screaming for Nakamura to be involved in the match. Now, the apathy is there for all to see, and it's because of how WWE have booked him.

There's no good reason to care about Shinsuke on SmackDown. He's just sort of there, filling the void that'd be taken by another mid-level star if he wasn't. That's not exciting enough, and it doesn't fill one with confidence that Nakamura will shine in the Rumble either. He has '20-minute performance before being dumped out by Baron Corbin' written all over him.

It's about time WWE's creative squad started coming through for Nakamura. If we're ever going to see that match teased back at last year's MITB with AJ Styles, then he needs some stronger writing. Hardcore fans know how good he is, but casuals haven't been given any reason to get excited about him.

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.