WWE WrestleMania 34: 10 Things WWE Got Right

3. Nakamura’s Heel Turn

Shinsuke Nakamura AJ Styles
WWE.com

Shinsuke Nakamura had to do something after losing a second WWE Title match on pay-per-view in less than a year.

After also losing to Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam 2017, Nakamura's edge faded and he began to look lost in a WWE ring. Add to that the writing team's desire to have Naka cut promos and one of New Japan's greats was flirting with disaster on SmackDown every week.

Nakamura's Royal Rumble win eased the pressure somewhat and got fans back on side, but that belief turned to audible disappointment when AJ Styles pinned him at 'Mania to retain the WWE Title. Once again, Shinsuke had been let down by creative, right? Not so fast.

A sudden low blow, some spiteful kicks and a Kinshasa knee strike cemented Nakamura's turn from good-guy rock star to malevolent baddie who resents everything AJ has achieved in WWE. For the first time since joining the promotion, Shinsuke has a purpose and something to talk about.

Finally.

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.