Signing with WWE in early 2016, Shinsuke Nakamura left behind him a legendary career in Japan for a life in the world of sports entertainment. The move was acclaimed at the time but currently, ‘The King of Strong Style’ is continuing to struggle to find his feet on the main roster.
Outside of two reigns as WWE Intercontinental Champion, it’s been anything but smooth sailing for Nakamura since joining the SmackDown roster in April 2017. He most recently competed on the blue brand’s 28 October broadcast as the mystery partner for Hit Row’s Top Dolla and Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis, besting Legado Del Fantasma.
2023 may prove more lucrative for Shinsuke Nakamura. As was announced by Pro Wrestling NOAH, Nakamura is heading back to Japan on New Year’s Day to wrestle the legendary Great Muta. The match will serve as part of Muta’s retirement tour, ahead of his official retirement from the ring a few weeks thereafter in February.
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🎍1.1日本武道館【SHINSUKE NAKAMURA、グレート・ムタ】参戦決定‼️‼️‼️
＼「ABEMA presents NOAH “THE NEW YEAR” 2023」
📅2023年1月1日(日) 16:00開始/15:00開場
🏢日本武道館⚔スペシャルシングルマッチ
グレート・ムタ vs SHINSUKE NAKAMURA#noah_ghc#byebyeMUTA#ABEMApic.twitter.com/qdzjG4jutX— プロレスリング・ノア ｜PROWRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) October 30, 2022
Shinsuke Nakamura’s Success In Japan
Prior to arriving in WWE, Shinsuke Nakamura was one of the biggest names in the world of Japanese wrestling. Predominantly wrestling for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Nakamura was a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, five-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. Furthermore, he won the G1 Climax and G1 Tag League in 2011 and 2006, respectively.
In Pro Wrestling NOAH, meanwhile, Nakamura has only competed seven times, two of which were co-promoted alongside NJPW and All Japan Pro-Wrestling. His NOAH career began in 2009, as he and Milano Collection A.T. lost to Go Shiozaki and Takashi Sugiura.
The two-time NXT Champion’s time in Pro Wrestling NOAH came to an end following two contests in late 2013. After he and Naomichi Marufuji lost to Sugiura and KENTA of the No Mercy faction, it would then be him and YOSHI-HASHI – representing NJPW’s CHAOS group – being felled by Marufuji and Mohammed Yone, who were representing BRAVE.