10 Biggest WWE Missed Opportunities Of 2018

8. Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura’s babyface run was incredibly lackluster, so when the former New Japan Pro Wrestling star turned heel after his disappointing match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34, it was a much needed jolt in the former NXT Champion’s career.

Nakamura’s antics were the highlight of his feud with Styles and the Smackdown Live star seemed to be very motivated. But then he ultimately failed to capture the WWE Championship from the ‘Pheonmenal One’ multiple times, and it’s been downhill ever since.

I truly believe that Nakamura should’ve been the man to take the title off of Styles. He went through a dramatic character shift after failing back at WrestleMania, thus in order to put over Nakamura’s new crazed character, he should’ve beaten Styles for the title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HByHD7SSibs

However, it seems that the company just doesn’t know what to do with him despite him showcasing that he can be a strong heel.

There was hope when Nakamura defeated Jeff Hardy clean and fast at Extreme Rules. But since then, nothing. He’s been given the sad and tired, “I’m foreign so I’m better than you Americans” gimmick since winning the United States Championship – which he has since lost to Rusev – but he hasn’t been booked in ANY meaningful feuds.

The real problem lies in the company’s lack of caring about the midcard wrestlers. The days when future main event stars feuding over the coveted Intercontinental or United States Titles are long gone. For some reason, the company seems afraid to take a risk with multiple talents and settle with the same talents who move up and down the card.

Guys like Gallows and Anderson, or a member of the New Day – Xavier Woods I would personally have chosen – could’ve feuded with Nakamura. Hell, I’ll take random babyface Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas vs. heel Nakamura. I bring up these acts because all of these men have proven themselves in terms of charisma and skills when it comes to being single stars.

I know this won’t happen, but Nakamura would be better off going back to New Japan Pro Wrestling. This guy should’ve been a star, but creative has failed to do anything with him and I don’t have any hopes that it will change in the future.

• lists
• missed opportunities
• 2018
• wwe

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