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Shinsuke Nakamura
The King of Strong Style! The leader of CHAOS, Shinsuke is the king of everything, and one of the most popular as well as recognizable wrestlers in Japan. There aren’t too many wrestlers anymore that have an aura surrounding them, but Nakamura has it and then some.
As cool as he is unique, Nakamura has a swagger and confidence that stands out from the crowd. From the second his music hits everything about him is unique, from his entrance, to his look, to his ring style. Nakamura is one of the most complete wrestlers in the world and mesmerism to watch in everything he does.
Nakamura at 34 years old is a three time IWGP Heavyweight champion and four time and current IWGP Intercontinental champion, a title that he took and raised the prestige to almost equal the heavyweight championship, so much so that it main evented Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome this past January.
Nakamura is also a one time IWGP Tag Team champion, 2006 G1 tag league winner, 2011 G1 Climax winner and this year's winner of the New Japan Cup.
Yes, Nakamura has done it all and he isn’t even close to being done yet as he still hasn’t reached his full potential.
Nakamura’s most notable feuds this year have all involved the Intercontinental championship. His series of matches with Hiroshi Tanahashi over the championship has produced several classic matches, each building from the last. However to really see how talented this man is you have to look at his series of matches with Bad Luck Fale, who at a very large size, with limited athletic ability, is not someone that has great matches with anyone. Nakamura has been the only man to not only get great matches out of him, but some can be held up anything anywhere this year. Nakamura entered this year’s G1 as a favorite to win and made it to the final where he lost to stable mate Kazuchida Okada. I get the feeling that it’s only the beginning between them as I expect a feud between the two over the IWPG heavyweight championship with Nakamura eventually winning back the title he hasn’t held in years.
Next on the agenda for Nakamura is a defense of his Intercontinental championship against Katsuyori Shibata, a man who holds a win over him from the G1. The match takes place on November 8th at Power Struggle.
What to look out for?
The Boma Ye! The knee strike that can be hit from any angle at anytime. Nakamura will usually hit it several times during a match and will sometimes hit it repeatedly until his opponent is down for the count. Also, watch out for his armbar and other knee strike variations. He isn’t called the King of Strong Style for nothing. I’d tell you to watch out for his mannerisms, but you’ll just have to watch them for yourself!
Unique and cool are the two best words to describe Shinsuke Nakamura. Take a look at a few of his matches to get yourself familiar with the King of Strong Style.
Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura IWGP Intercontinental championship – Invasion Attack 2014
After winning the New Japan Cup, Nakamura chose to cash in his title opportunity for the IC title to take back what was his and avenge his previous two losses to Tanahashi earlier in the year. These two never have a bad match and you will see why they are considered two of the finest in the world at this link.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomohiro Ishii G1 Block A Match
The battle of CHAOS team mates and best friends as they battle in the G1 Climax. This was a match that was hugely anticipated and it lived up to expectations. Watch how two friends go into battle in the most important tournament of the year, all the while still having respect for each other throughout at this link.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bad Luck Fale IWGP Intercontinental Championship - Destruction
After losing the intercontinental title to Fale just three months earlier after Fale beat him in convincing fashion, Nakamura was out for revenge here after having to be stretchered out from their previous encounter. This in my opinion is the best of all their collisions and shows Nakamura’s talent as he drags an amazing match out of Fale. You can watch by clicking here.
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