Shinsuke Nakamura contract up soon (after WM41), potentially will not be renewed

[Ricky Smarks]

I doubt he returns to Japan. He's been open about being comfortable in the States and mostly working for the money now. I think he waits to see what AEW offers him and then sees if WWE counters it.

 

[Comrade Khan]

I doubt he returns to Japan. He's been open about being comfortable in the States and mostly working for the money now. I think he waits to see what AEW offers him and then sees if WWE counters it.

as much as I love Nak I never offer him more than 6 mo to a year at a time. I need proof that it's not just WWE mis-using him. There has been rumours since NJPW and ya, I always go to bat for the guy, but I'd want assurances too lol

 

[Comrade Khan]

to your point as well Smark, he has more affiliation with NOAH than NJPW. Who knows how icy or not that relationship is. I dunno if he left on good terms. We need the p8uro experts to weigh in

 

[Ricky Smarks]

as much as I love Nak I never offer him more than 6 mo to a year at a time. I need proof that it's not just WWE mis-using him. There has been rumours since NJPW and ya, I always go to bat for the guy, but I'd want assurances too lol

Same. I like Nak, but I've not see anything from him that makes me think it could simply just be a booking issue. I think he's just comfortable doing what's in front of him and not pushing for more. AEW has too many hungry lions that Nak would probably do the same there and it's too crowded for that.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

to your point as well Smark, he has more affiliation with NOAH than NJPW. Who knows how icy or not that relationship is. I dunno if he left on good terms. We need the p8uro experts to weigh in

Good point. I think what might be likely is he gets a bump to say in WWE, but he gets time in his contract to do a couple Noah tours a year. Especially now that WWE has a relationship with them.

 

[Comrade Khan]

Same. I like Nak, but I've not see anything from him that makes me think it could simply just be a booking issue. I think he's just comfortable doing what's in front of him and not pushing for more. AEW has too many hungry lions that Nak would probably do the same there and it's too crowded for that.

yeah I am coming around to the idea that some guys appeal in AEW in a few dream matches but beyond that...well not much.

part-timer i do think he would do great but idk how much appetite there is. ig he pretty much is already that in wwe tho.

omega, ospreay,okada, takeshita, swerve, hangman, mjf are all feuds and matches that have the potential to feed families tho! there is def imo some postives...assuming Nak can go. I havent watched him in a long time soidk. mb his matches in japan are still good and mb hed be less bored if he could be stiffer. I have no idea tho

 

[Dale]

Like I dunno how true it is but it's been said for time when Nakamura is brought up that he supposedly left Japan because of the punishment to his body and that he likes the easier WWE style and just being in Florida to surf and shit. Some guys are just happy to coast and do the jobs asked of them I guess.

 

[Cwalker]

Yeah I’m out…

Yall got it

 

[Ricky Smarks]

Like I dunno how true it is but it's been said for time when Nakamura is brought up that he supposedly left Japan because of the punishment to his body and that he likes the easier WWE style and just being in Florida to surf and shit. Some guys are just happy to coast and do the jobs asked of them I guess.

Yeah, this is what I was saying. Nak has made it clear he has no intention of returning to Japan to live so he's not taking any full-time work there. He likes living in the states and said he likes the WWE money so the only option I see is he stays or goes to AEW or just retires.

 

[Comrade Khan]

Yeah I’m out…

Yall got it

"pesky facts stopping me from making this about aew" bye!

 

[Shane]

If Nak doesn’t give a shit and just wants to make money then good for him. Fuck it

But at the same time he’s still a member of the roster and that doesn’t mean he can’t be booked better. Like I said after his run in NXT, I 100% thought he’d be a top star but it just never happened. Shame.

 

[Comrade Khan]

If Nak doesn’t give a shit and just wants to make money then good for him. Fuck it

But at the same time he’s still a member of the roster and that doesn’t mean he can’t be booked better. Like I said after his run in NXT, I 100% thought he’d be a top star but it just never happened. Shame.

peaked at him almost crippling Cena on smackdown ig - all downhill after that

 

[Shane]

peaked at him almost crippling Cena on smackdown ig - all downhill after that

Such a horrible reason to end a push. Accidents happen all the time.

 

[Y2Jayne]

Won't miss him to be honest, never saw the appeal.
He's better off in Japan.

 

[Dale]

Shinsuke Nakamura, former WWE United States Champion, is set to miss WrestleMania 41.

Last Friday on WWE SmackDown, “The King of Strong Style” lost his title to LA Knight, who secured his second reign with a victory over the Japanese legend in the evening’s main event. Following the loss, speculation arose about Nakamura’s WWE future, with rumors suggesting a possible return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

However, these rumors were debunked after confirming with WWE sources that there was no truth to the speculation. Dave Meltzer also addressed the rumors on Wrestling Observer Radio at F4WOnline.com, stating: “When that story first broke, I immediately contacted WWE, and they immediately got back to me. The story they said was false was that Nakamura was leaving.”

In another updatre, on a recent episode of Sportskeeda WrestleBinge WrestleVotes, it was revealed that Nakamura might be off WWE TV for a few weeks, leading to his absence from WrestleMania 41 due to the lack of storyline buildup. While he’s not involved in the event, there’s no indication he’s leaving WWE. His return timeline remains uncertain.​