Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura | |
---|---|
Birth name | Shinsuke Nakamura |
Born | Mineyama, Kyōto, Japan | February 24, 1980
Spouse(s) |
Harumi Maekawa
(m. 2007) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) |
|
Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[2][3] |
Billed weight | 229 lb (104 kg)[2][3] |
Billed from | Kyoto, Japan |
Trained by | |
Debut | August 29, 2002[3][6] |
Shinsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中邑 真輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shinsuke, born February 24, 1980) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand.
Nakamura is known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former 3-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, with his first reign coming at the age of 23 years and 9 months; making Nakamura the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion. His other accomplishments within the company include winning the 2011 G1 Climax and the 2014 New Japan Cup, and being the final IWGP Third Belt Champion, the final NWF Heavyweight Champion, and the longest reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion for his first reign (he formerly held the record for most reigns at five). He is also a founding member and the original leader of the stable Chaos.
Prior to his main roster debut in WWE, Nakamura competed in the company's NXT brand, where he became a two-time NXT Champion. In January 2018, Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble match, and later won the WWE United States Championship twice. He won the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in 2019 at Extreme Rules, making him the second wrestler (behind Chris Jericho) to hold both WWE and IWGP Intercontinental Championships. Nakamura is also a former WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champion with Cesaro. From July 2021 to October of the same year, Nakamura dubbed himself King Nakamura due to being in possession of the King of the Ring crown, although he never won the tournament, instead defeating reigning King of the Ring Baron Corbin in a "Battle for the Crown" match. Overall, Nakamura is a five-time world champion in professional wrestling.
Early life
[edit]Shinsuke Nakamura was born in Mineyama, Kyoto,[7] on February 24, 1980.[3][6] As a child, his favorite wrestler was Jushin Liger.[8]
Professional wrestling career
[edit]New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2002–2016)
[edit]Super Rookie (2002–2005)
[edit]Nakamura joined NJPW in March 2002 and quickly began making a name for himself as a bright prospect for the company.[6] Having earned the nickname "Super Rookie", Nakamura impressed both NJPW officials and fans with an excellent combination of strength, speed, and technical skill.[6] Alongside fellow rookies Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata, Nakamura became known as one of the "new Three Musketeers".[9] Nakamura began training vale tudo and on December 31 made his mixed martial arts debut in a fight, where he was defeated by Daniel Gracie via submission to an armlock.[6] Nakamura's second MMA fight took place on May 2, 2003, when he defeated Jan Nortje with a guillotine choke.[6] He followed that up on September 13 with another submission victory over Shane Eitner in his third MMA fight.[10] On December 9, Nakamura defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, thus becoming the youngest wrestler in history to win the title.[6] On January 4, 2004, at Wrestling World 2004, Nakamura successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against the NWF Heavyweight Champion Yoshihiro Takayama in a title unification match.[6] However, Nakamura was forced to vacate the title due to an injury just a month later.[6]
Upon his return, Nakamura received a shot at the title, now held by Bob Sapp, but he was defeated by the defending champion on May 3.[11] Later that month, Nakamura competed in his last MMA fight, defeating Alexey Ignashov with a forearm choke on May 22.[10] On December 11, Nakamura and his tag team partner Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Kensuke Sasaki and Minoru Suzuki in a decision match to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[6] On January 4, 2005, at Toukon Festival: Wrestling World 2005, Nakamura defeated his own tag team partner to win the IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship.[6] During their tag team title reign, the two left for an excursion to Mexico, where they feuded with Los Guerreros del Infierno and defended the IWGP Tag Team Championship against Rey Bucanero and Olímpico.[6] On October 30, they lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to Cho-Ten (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono).[6]
Excursion and return (2006–2009)
[edit]Nakamura challenged Brock Lesnar for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2006, at Toukon Shidou Chapter 1, but he lost.[6] In March 2006, Nakamura announced that he would depart on a learning excursion to further improve his wrestling skills.[6] Among other things, he would travel to Mexico, Brazil and Russia as well as train with Lesnar at Lesnar's personal gym to gain muscle mass. NJPW President Simon Inoki later suggested that as part of his learning excursion, Nakamura would be loaned to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to gain experience in working large American shows.[12] However, it proved to be mostly speculation and never came to pass as Nakamura was urgently needed back in New Japan due to Lesnar's departure.
On September 24, Nakamura made his long-awaited return to New Japan, joining Masahiro Chono's Black New Japan faction, which had the goal of reforming New Japan with Chono as the president and Nakamura as the "ace".[6][13] Nakamura had greatly improved his muscular mass during his overseas training and also debuted a new finisher, called the Landslide.[6] On December 10, Nakamura was unable to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from then-champion Tanahashi and was again unsuccessful on January 4, 2007, at the Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome show, where he lost to Toshiaki Kawada.[6] Nakamura entered the 2007 G1 Climax tournament, where he reached the semi-finals before dislocating his shoulder.[6] The injury sidelined Nakamura for months, but he made his return on November 11 and took over the leadership of Black New Japan from Chono and reformed the faction under the new name RISE. The faction originally consisted of himself, Minoru, Milano Collection A.T., Hirooki Goto, Giant Bernard, Travis Tomko and Prince Devitt.[6] Low Ki was later added to the stable after Milano was injured, having impressed Nakamura during an appearance when he was still with Impact Wrestling! (Formerly TNA). On December 9, Nakamura defeated Togi Makabe to earn an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match at the following month's Tokyo Dome show.[6]
On January 4, 2008, Nakamura defeated his rival Tanahashi in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome, winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the second time.[6] On February 17, Nakamura defeated Kurt Angle to win the IGF version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, unifying it with his own NJPW version of the title.[6] He lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) representative Keiji Mutoh in Osaka on April 27.[6]
On September 5, Nakamura and RISE stablemate Hirooki Goto unsuccessfully challenged Togi Makabe and Toru Yano for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Immediately after the match, the duo were attacked by Giant Bernard, Rick Fuller and the returning Low Ki, who had just left RISE to join Makabe's GBH faction.[6] On February 15, 2009, Nakamura faced Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he failed to regain the title.[14]
King of Strong Style (2009–2012)
[edit]In April 2009, Nakamura turned into a villain, siding with the former members of GBH (especially Toru Yano) in a feud against Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma. This new group was soon named Chaos with Nakamura as their leader.[6] Nakamura began to work a much rougher style, using a lot of knees and continuing to use a straight right hand as a frequent move in addition to the Bomaye (renamed Kinshasa in WWE), his new finisher. It was the Bomaye that took him to the finals of the 2009 G1 Climax, where he lost to Makabe.[6] Prior to the final, Nakamura had gone undefeated, winning each match with the Bomaye. The move was also credited for fracturing IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi's orbital bone in the semi-finals of the G1, which forced Tanahashi to vacate the title later that month.[6]
On September 27, Nakamura avenged his G1 loss and defeated Makabe in a decision match to win the IWGP Heavyweight title for a third time.[6] Upon winning the title, Nakamura drew the ire of Antonio Inoki by announcing his plan of wanting to restore the "Strong Style" of New Japan by capturing the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt from Inoki to replace the fourth generation title belt held by Nakamura.[15] On October 12, Nakamura successfully defended the title against Shinjiro Otani.[16] On November 8 at Destruction '09, Nakamura successfully defended the title against previous champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.[17] On December 5, Nakamura retained the title by defeating Yuji Nagata.[18] On January 4, 2010, at Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo Dome, Nakamura successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Yoshihiro Takayama in a rematch of their 2004 Tokyo Dome title unification bout.[19] After defeating Takayama, Nakamura was challenged by Manabu Nakanishi, whom he would pin on February 14 at New Japan's ISM show in Sumo Hall, making his fifth defense.[20] On April 4, Nakamura made his sixth successful title defense against the 2010 New Japan Cup winner and former teammate Hirooki Goto and afterwards accepted Togi Makabe's challenge for the title.[21] On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2010, Nakamura lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Makabe.[22] Following the loss, Nakamura was sidelined with a shoulder injury until he returned on June 19 at Dominion 6.19, defeating Daniel Puder. Atsushi Sawada and Simon Inoki of IGF appeared at the show and seemed to eye up Nakamura after the match.[23][24] On July 19, Nakamura received a rematch for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he was once again defeated by Makabe.[25] The following month, Nakamura entered the 2010 G1 Climax, where he won four out of his seven-round robin stage matches, including one over eventual winner Satoshi Kojima, leading his block heading to the final day, where he wrestled Pro Wrestling Noah's Go Shiozaki to a 30-minute time limit draw and thus missed the finals of the tournament by a single point.[26][27] The draw with Shiozaki led to a no time limit match at a Pro Wrestling Noah show on August 22, where Nakamura was defeated.[28] Despite losing to Goto in a number one contender's match on October 11, Nakamura was hand-picked by new IWGP Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima as his first challenger.[29] The title match took place on December 11 and ended with Nakamura losing.[30]
On January 4, 2011, Nakamura avenged his loss to Go Shiozaki by defeating him in a singles match at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome.[31][32] On May 3, Nakamura failed in his attempt to regain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Hiroshi Tanahashi.[33] From late May to early June, Nakamura worked a tour with Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), whom New Japan had a working agreement with.[34] On August 1, Nakamura entered the 2011 G1 Climax and after winning seven out of his nine-round robin stage matches finished first in his block to advance to the finals of the tournament. On August 14, Nakamura defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the 2011 G1 Climax and earn another shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.[35] Nakamura went on to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on September 19, but he failed to recapture the title from Tanahashi.[36] In the 2011 G1 Tag League, Nakamura teamed with Toru Yano as the Chaos Top Team, winning all five of their group stage matches, advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament with a clean sheet.[37] On November 6, Nakamura and Yano were eliminated from the tournament in the semi-finals by the team of Lance Archer and Minoru Suzuki.[38] On January 4, 2012, at Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome, the Chaos Top Team was defeated by Pro Wrestling Noah representatives Go Shiozaki and Naomichi Marufuji.[39]
IWGP Intercontinental Champion (2012–2016)
[edit]On July 22, Nakamura defeated Hirooki Goto to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the first time.[40] In August's 2012 G1 Climax tournament, Nakamura wrestled in the same block as fellow Chaos member and recent IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. The two stablemates faced each other on August 5, with Nakamura picking up the win, effectively solidifying his spot as the leader of Chaos in the process.[41] After four wins and three losses, Nakamura was defeated in the final day of the tournament by Hiroyoshi Tenzan and was thus eliminated from the finals, failing to defend his crown.[42] On August 26, Nakamura traveled to the United States to make his first successful defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, defeating Oliver John at a Sacramento Wrestling Federation (SWF) event in Gridley, California.[43][44] The following day, Nakamura threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays in Arlington, Texas.[45] On October 8 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Nakamura successfully defended the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a rematch against Hirooki Goto.[46][47] On November 11 at Power Struggle, Nakamura made his third successful defense against Karl Anderson.[48][49] From November 20 to December 1, Nakamura took part in the round-robin portion of the 2012 World Tag League, alongside stablemate Tomohiro Ishii under the tag team name Chaos Invincible.[50] The team finished with a record of three wins, which included a win over stablemates Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi[51] as well as three losses, failing to advance from their block.[52][53] On January 4, 2013, at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome, Nakamura defeated Kazushi Sakuraba for his fourth successful defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[54][55] From January 18 to 19, Nakamura took part in the Fantastica Mania 2013 weekend, co-promoted by New Japan and CMLL. In the main event of the second night, Nakamura made his fifth successful defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against La Sombra.[56] In early 2013, Nakamura became involved in Chaos' rivalry with New Japan's other top villainous stable, Suzuki-gun.[57] On March 3 at New Japan's 41st anniversary event, Nakamura defeated Suzuki-gun's Lance Archer for his sixth successful title defense.[58] On April 5, Nakamura and Ishii unsuccessfully challenged KES (Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr.) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[59] Two days later at Invasion Attack, Nakamura successfully defended the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Smith, avenging the previous loss from the first round of the New Japan Cup.[60][61] On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, Nakamura defeated Suzuki-gun's newest member Shelton X Benjamin for his eighth successful defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[62][63]
On May 11, Nakamura left for another tour with Mexican promotion CMLL.[64] His first match back in Mexico took place the following day, when he teamed with El Felino and Negro Casas in a six-man tag team two out of three falls match at Arena Coliseo, where they were defeated by Máscara Dorada, Rush and Titán.[65] Nakamura quickly started a rivalry with La Sombra and after suffering two pinfall defeats in six-man tag team matches on April 17 and 24 accepted his challenge for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, setting up a Fantastica Mania 2013 rematch between the two.[66][67] The match took place on May 31 and saw Nakamura once again losing to La Sombra for the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, ending his reign at 313 days and eight successful title defenses.[68][69][70][71] Nakamura wrestled his final match of the tour on June 9, when he was defeated by Rush in a singles match.[72] Nakamura returned to New Japan on June 22 at Dominion 6.22 in a tag team match, where he and Tomohiro Ishii were defeated by Minoru Suzuki and Shelton X Benjamin, who pinned Nakamura for the win.[73] On July 20, Nakamura regained the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from La Sombra, becoming the first multi-time holder of the title.[74] From August 1 to 11, Nakamura took part in the 2013 G1 Climax.[75] Finishing with a record of five wins and four losses, Nakamura narrowly failed to advance to the finals after losing to Shelton X Benjamin on the final day.[76][77] On September 29 at Destruction, Nakamura defeated Benjamin to make the first successful defense of his second reign as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion.[78] His second successful defense took place on October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, when he defeated Pro Wrestling Noah representative Naomichi Marufuji.[79] On November 9 at Power Struggle, Nakamura made his third successful title defense against Minoru Suzuki in a match which had the added stipulation that Nakamura would have had to join Suzuki-gun had he lost the title. Post-match, Nakamura nominated Hiroshi Tanahashi as his next challenger, setting up the first title match between the two longtime rivals in over two years.[80] From November 23 to December 7, Nakamura and Ishii took part in the 2013 World Tag League, where they finished with a record of three wins and three losses, with a loss against Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma on the final day costing them a spot in the semi-finals.[81][82]
On January 4, 2014, Nakamura lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Tanahashi in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome.[83][84] A rematch between the two took place on February 9 at The New Beginning in Hiroshima and saw Nakamura fail in his attempt to regain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[85][86] In March, Nakamura took part in the 2014 New Japan Cup, which he eventually won, defeating Bad Luck Fale in the finals on March 23 and afterwards challenged Tanahashi to another rematch for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[87] On April 6 at Invasion Attack 2014, Nakamura defeated Tanahashi to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the third time.[88][89] The following month, Nakamura took part in NJPW's North American tour, defeating Ring of Honor (ROH) wrestler Kevin Steen in an interpromotional match on May 17 at War of the Worlds.[90] On May 25 at Back to the Yokohama Arena, Nakamura made the first successful defense of his third reign as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion against Daniel Gracie.[91][92] On June 21 at Dominion 6.21, Nakamura lost the title to Bad Luck Fale in his second defense.[93][94] In the 2014 G1 Climax, Nakamura won his block with eight wins and two losses, advancing to the finals.[95][96] On August 10, Nakamura was defeated in the finals by Chaos stablemate Kazuchika Okada.[97][98] On September 21 at Destruction in Kobe, Nakamura regained the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from Bad Luck Fale.[99][100] He made his first successful title defense on November 8 at Power Struggle against Katsuyori Shibata.[101] From November 23 to December 5, Nakamura took part in the 2014 World Tag League alongside Tomohiro Ishii.[102] The team finished second in their block with a record of four wins and three losses, narrowly missing the finals of the tournament due to losing to Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata on the final day.[103] On January 4, 2015, at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome, Nakamura made his second successful defense of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Kota Ibushi.[104][105] His third defense took place on February 14 at The New Beginning in Sendai, where Nakamura defeated Yuji Nagata.[106] Nakamura's fourth title reign ended on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2015, where he was defeated by Goto.[107] Nakamura received a rematch for the title on July 5 at Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall, but he was again defeated by Goto.[108][109]
From July 23 to August 15, Nakamura took part in the round-robin stage of the 2015 G1 Climax.[110] Despite missing one match due to an elbow injury,[111] Nakamura won his block and advanced to the finals by defeating reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Chaos stablemate Kazuchika Okada in his last round-robin match, giving him a record of seven wins and two losses.[112] On August 16, Nakamura was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Hiroshi Tanahashi.[113][114] On September 27 at Destruction in Kobe, Nakamura defeated Hirooki Goto to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the fifth time; this would remain the record for most reigns until Tetsuya Naito became a six-time champion in 2020.[115][116][117] He made his first successful title defense on November 7 at Power Struggle against Karl Anderson,[118] avenging an earlier loss from the 2015 G1 Climax.[119] He made his second successful defense on January 4, 2016, by defeating A.J. Styles at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome.[120] Hours after the event, it was reported that Nakamura had given his notice to NJPW on the morning of January 4, announcing that he was leaving the promotion for WWE.[121][122] Nakamura remained under NJPW contract and was expected to finish off his contracted dates with the promotion before leaving.[123][124] On January 12, NJPW confirmed Nakamura's upcoming departure, announcing he would also be stripped of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[125][126] Nakamura handed in the title on January 25, officially ending his fifth reign.[127][128] Nakamura wrestled his last match under his NJPW contract on January 30, where he, Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii defeated Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Katsuyori Shibata.[129]
Before Nakamura's departure from NJPW, ROH had announced that he would be appearing at their 14th Anniversary Show in Las Vegas as part of ROH's cross-promotion deal with NJPW, but ROH was forced to pull him from the event due to Nakamura signing an exclusive WWE contract.[130]
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2008)
[edit]On January 28, 2008, Nakamura defeated Elix Skipper in a match taped for TNA Xplosion.[131]
WWE (2016–present)
[edit]NXT Champion (2016–2017)
[edit]On January 6, 2016, Nakamura confirmed in an interview with Tokyo Sports that he would be leaving NJPW at the end of the month and signing with WWE.[132][133] On January 27, WWE officially announced that Nakamura would be taking part in the NXT TakeOver: Dallas event.[134] On January 31, Nakamura was confirmed to have finished his NJPW commitments and was said to be reporting to the WWE Performance Center for training and handling logistical matters regarding his move to the company.[135] On February 2, Nakamura arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to undergo pre-contract signing medical tests.[136] On February 22, WWE held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan to officially announce the signing of Nakamura to NXT.[137][138] On April 1, Nakamura defeated Sami Zayn in his debut match at NXT TakeOver: Dallas in a critically acclaimed match.[139] On the April 13 episode of NXT, Nakamura defeated Tye Dillinger in his NXT television debut.[140]
On the May 25 episode of NXT, Austin Aries declared his intention to become the next NXT Champion, which prompted a response from Nakamura, and NXT general manager William Regal then scheduled a match between the two on June 8 at NXT TakeOver: The End,[141] which Nakamura won.[142] On the June 15 episode of NXT, Nakamura challenged former NXT Champion Finn Bálor to a match that was accepted[143] and won by Nakamura on the July 13 episode of NXT.[144] On August 20 at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, Nakamura defeated Samoa Joe to win the NXT Championship for the first time.[145] On November 19 at NXT TakeOver: Toronto, Nakamura lost the title to Joe in his first defense, marking his first televised loss in NXT.[146] On the December 28 episode of NXT from Osaka, Japan, Nakamura would regain the NXT Championship from Samoa Joe.[147] On the January 4, 2017, episode of NXT, he successfully defended the championship against Joe in a steel cage match.[148] On January 28 at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, Nakamura lost the championship to Bobby Roode.[149] In his return match on March 8, Nakamura defeated T. J. Perkins and was put into a rematch to face Roode for the NXT Championship on April 1 at NXT TakeOver: Orlando,[150] but he was unsuccessful in reclaiming the championship.[151][152] On the April 12 episode of NXT, Nakamura made his final NXT appearance, bidding farewell to the Full Sail University crowd.[153]
WWE Championship pursuits (2017–2018)
[edit]On the April 4 episode of SmackDown Live, the first episode after WrestleMania 33, Nakamura made his main roster debut, interrupting The Miz and Maryse following their promo mocking John Cena and Nikki Bella; however this did not spark a feud between Nakamura and Miz, since Miz would be traded to Raw because of the Superstar Shake-up, though the two would have a short feud in 2023.[154] Nakamura began feuding with Dolph Ziggler, whom he defeated in his televised in-ring debut at Backlash on May 21.[155] On the May 23 episode of SmackDown Live, it was announced that Nakamura along with AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would compete in the Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank on June 18,[156] during which Corbin attacked him with both a ladder and a camera while making his entrance.[157] Nakamura was checked on by medical staff and carried out of the arena, but he later returned during the match and attacked all other participants, only to lose the match when Corbin retrieved the briefcase.[158] At Battleground on July 23,[159] Nakamura defeated Corbin by disqualification after Corbin attacked him with a low blow.[160] Two days later on SmackDown Live, Nakamura defeated Corbin in a rematch to end their feud.[161] On the August 1 episode of SmackDown Live, Nakamura defeated John Cena[162] to earn the right to challenge Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship on August 20 at SummerSlam,[163] where Nakamura lost after interference from The Singh Brothers and marking his first pinfall loss on the main roster.[164] On the September 5 episode of SmackDown Live, Nakamura defeated Randy Orton[165] to earn another title shot against Mahal for the title[166] at Hell in a Cell on October 8, where he lost again.[167] On the October 31 episode of SmackDown Live, Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens to earn a spot on Team SmackDown at Survivor Series on November 19,[168] where he was the first man to be eliminated by Braun Strowman in the 5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match against Team Raw.[169] At Clash of Champions on December 17, Nakamura teamed up with Randy Orton in a losing effort against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who retained their jobs with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon serving as special guest referees.[170] On the inaugural episode of Mixed Match Challenge on January 16, 2018, Nakamura teamed with Natalya in the Mixed Match Challenge tournament, but the duo was defeated by Finn Bálor and Sasha Banks in the first round.[171]
On January 28 at the Royal Rumble, Nakamura would enter the namesake match at number 14 and go on to win the men's Royal Rumble match after last eliminating Roman Reigns.[172][173][174] Immediately afterwards, Nakamura announced that he would challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34 on April 8,[175] where he lost to Styles.[176] After the match, Nakamura turned heel by attacking Styles with a low blow followed by a Kinshasa.[177] On the following episode of SmackDown Live, Nakamura said in an interview that he got "too emotional" and was "sorry" for attacking Styles, but when asked to explain more, he sarcastically said "Sorry, no speak English".[178] Later that night, Nakamura cemented his heel turn by attacking Styles and Daniel Bryan, low blowing Styles twice and striking Bryan in the back of the head with a Kinshasa.[179] Nakamura continued to low blow Styles in the following weeks[180][181] and it was announced that he would get a rematch for the title at the Greatest Royal Rumble.[182] On the April 24 episode of SmackDown Live, Nakamura debuted a new entrance and theme song.[183] At the Greatest Royal Rumble on April 27, Styles and Nakamura fought to a double count-out, with Styles retaining the WWE Championship.[184] As a result, another rematch between Nakamura and Styles was made for Backlash[185] with a no disqualification stipulation added on the May 1 episode of SmackDown Live.[186] At the event on May 6, Nakamura and Styles fought to a no contest after low blowing each other, with Styles again retaining the title.[187] Looking for a decisive winner, SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon announced one more rematch between Nakamura and Styles at Money in the Bank.[188] Nakamura was granted the right to choose the stipulation for the match after defeating Styles on the May 15 episode of SmackDown Live,[189] which he revealed the following week, to be a Last Man Standing match after attacking Styles with a Kinshasa and giving him a 10-count.[190] At the event on June 17, Nakamura failed to win the title.[191] Nakamura then suffered a minor injury after a police dog bit his left leg.[192]
United States Champion (2018–2019)
[edit]On July 3, it was announced that Nakamura would return in time to face Jeff Hardy for the WWE United States Championship at Extreme Rules.[193] At the event on July 15, Nakamura won the title by executing a low blow and Kinshasa on Hardy, marking his first main roster title win; Nakamura was then confronted by the returning Randy Orton, who attacked Hardy before leaving.[194] Nakamura would successfully defend the title in a rematch against Hardy at SummerSlam on August 19.[195] On the August 27 episode of SmackDown Live, Nakamura would later refuse to compete, claiming that the United States of America had been renamed Naka-Merica and that he would not face anyone until he found a worthy opponent.[196] After refusing to defend the WWE United States Championship at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on September 16, general manager Paige ordered Nakamura to defend the championship on the September 18 episode of SmackDown Live, which he did so successfully, defeating Rusev. At SmackDown 1000, Nakamura lost to the returning Rey Mysterio in a qualifying match for the WWE World Cup at Crown Jewel.[197] It was announced that Nakamura would defend the title against Rusev at Crown Jewel's kickoff show on November 2,[198] in which he successfully retained.[199] Nakamura lost to Raw's WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins in an interbrand Champion vs Champion match at Survivor Series on November 18.[200] On the December 25 episode of SmackDown Live (taped on December 18), Nakamura lost the WWE United States Championship to Rusev, ending his reign at 156 days.[201]
On January 27, 2019, at the Royal Rumble, Nakamura defeated Rusev to win his second WWE United States Championship.[202] Later that night, he participated in the Royal Rumble match entering at No. 3 but was eliminated by Mustafa Ali.[203] Two days later on SmackDown Live, Nakamura lost the title to R-Truth. Rusev then confronted Truth and pushed him into a title match, but Truth retained the title. After the match, Nakamura joined forces with Rusev into attacking Truth, starting an alliance between the two.[204] At the Fastlane pre-show on March 2, Nakamura and Rusev were defeated by The New Day.[205] At WrestleMania 35 on April 7, Nakamura and Rusev would compete in a fatal four-way tag team match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful.[206] The duo returned during the 51-Man Battle Royal at Super ShowDown on June 7, but they were both eliminated during the match.[207]
The Artist Collective (2019–2021)
[edit]At the Extreme Rules pre-show on July 14,[208] Nakamura defeated Intercontinental Champion Finn Bálor to win the title for the first time in his career.[209] This win made him the second man, after Chris Jericho, to have held both the IWGP and WWE Intercontinental Championship, as well as the first Asian-born wrestler to win the title. On July 27, he retained his title against Ali at Smackville.[210] He then started an alliance with Sami Zayn, defeating The Miz with his help at Clash of Champions on September 15 to retain the title.[211] At Crown Jewel on October 31, Nakamura was a member of Team Flair, where they lost to Team Hogan.[212] At Survivor Series on November 24, Nakamura lost to NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong in an inter-brand triple threat match also involving Raw's United States Champion AJ Styles.[213] On the November 29 episode of SmackDown, Nakamura and Zayn formed an alliance with Cesaro, thus forming a stable known as The Artist Collective. That same night, Nakamura and Cesaro unsuccessfully challenged The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.[214]
At Royal Rumble on January 26, Nakamura entered the Royal Rumble match at No. 11 but was eliminated by WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.[215] On the January 31 episode of SmackDown, Nakamura lost the Intercontinental Championship to Braun Strowman, ending his reign at 201 days.[216] At Elimination Chamber on March 8, Sami Zayn, along with Nakamura and Cesaro, defeated Braun Strowman in 3-on-1 handicap match for the Intercontinental Championship; Zayn won by pinning Strowman.[217][218] Nakamura, Zayn and Cesaro then began feuding with Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak, and on the first night of WrestleMania 36 on April 4, Zayn defeated Bryan to retain the Intercontinental Championship with the help of Nakamura and Cesaro.[219] Nakamura began teaming with Cesaro more frequently as they feuded with New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. On the July 10 episode of SmackDown, Nakamura and Cesaro challenged New Day for the titles, but the match ended in a no contest with Cesaro and Nakamura putting Kofi Kingston and Big E through a table.[220] On July 19 at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, Nakamura and Cesaro defeated Kingston and Big E in a tables match to capture the titles, marking Nakamura's first tag team title in WWE.[221] During the 2020 WWE Draft episode of SmackDown on October 9, they lost the titles to The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.[222] On the 2020 WWE Draft episode of Raw on October 12, they got drafted to SmackDown as the 19th pick.[223]
Championship pursuits (2021–2022)
[edit]On the January 8, 2021, episode of SmackDown, Nakamura competed in a gauntlet match to determine the challenger for the WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble, defeating Rey Mysterio, King Corbin, and Daniel Bryan, the latter of whom he proceeded to shake hands with following Bryan's loss, before he lost to Adam Pearce after being assaulted by champion Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, turning face for the first time since 2018.[224] The following week, Nakamura reverted to his original theme song for his entrance and cemented his face turn by insulting Jey Uso before defeating him in a match.[225] At Royal Rumble on January 31, Nakamura entered No. 7 before he was eliminated by King Corbin.[226] In March, Nakamura would be involved in Cesaro's feud with Seth Rollins after Rollins took Cesaro out of action. This led to a match between Nakamura and Rollins at Fastlane on March 21, where Nakamura lost to Rollins.[227]
On the May 14 episode of SmackDown, Nakamura lost to King Corbin, and attacked him after the match before stealing his crown, starting a feud between the two.[228] The next week, Rick Boogs became an ally of Nakamura, playing the guitar for him during his entrance.[229] On the June 18 episode of SmackDown, Nakamura defeated Corbin in a "Battle for the Crown" match to become the new King.[230] Now known as "King Nakamura", he defeated Corbin on the July 9 episode of SmackDown to qualify for Money in the Bank on July 18.[231] At the event, Nakamura failed to win the match.[232] On the August 13 episode of SmackDown, Nakamura defeated Apollo Crews to win the Intercontinental Championship for the second time in his career.[233] He would have his only title defense as he retained over Crews in a rematch on the September 24 episode of SmackDown.[234] On the October 8 episode of SmackDown, just prior to the start of the King of the Ring tournament that night, Nakamura relinquished the crown.[235] At Survivor Series on November 21, Nakamura defeated United States Champion Damian Priest by disqualification in a champion vs. champion match.[236] On the February 18, 2022 (taped February 11)[237] episode of SmackDown, Nakamura lost the title to Sami Zayn, ending his reign at 189 days.[238]
On the first night of WrestleMania 38 on April 2, Boogs and Nakamura faced The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.[239] On the June 3 episode of SmackDown, he teamed with Riddle to face the Usos for the titles, but lost.[240] He failed to qualify for Money in the Bank when he lost to Sami Zayn on the June 24 episode of SmackDown,[241] and in a last chance battle royal on the following episode of Raw.[242] On the August 12 episode of SmackDown, he faced Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship in a losing effort.[243] On the October 18 episode, Nakamura made his first NXT appearance in over five years as Tony D'Angelo's hand-picked opponent against Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo, whom he would end up defeating.[244]
Various feuds (2023–present)
[edit]After six months away from WWE programming, Nakamura made his return on the April 14, 2023, episode of SmackDown, defeating Madcap Moss.[245] As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Nakamura was drafted to the Raw brand.[246] On the May 29 episode of Raw, Nakamura defeated Bronson Reed to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Damian Priest.[247] On the August 7 episode of Raw, Nakamura teamed up with Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins to defeat The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor, Damian Priest and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) in a six man tag team match. After the match, Nakamura attacked Rollins, turning heel for the first time since 2021, and subsequently starting a feud with Rollins.[248] At Payback, Nakamura faced Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful in winning it.[249] He would have another title shot against Seth Rollins at Fastlane in a Last Man Standing match, where Nakamura once again failed to win, ending the feud in the process.[250] After his defeat at Fastlane, Alpha Academy's Akira Tozawa started a minor feud between his stable and Nakamura. Nakamura defeated Tozawa, Otis, and Chad Gable in successive episodes of Raw. At the same time, Nakamura appeared in pre-filmed promos, where he calls out a challenge to an unspecified wrestler. On the November 27 episode of Raw, Nakamura attacked Cody Rhodes, spraying his face with mist.[251] The two would fight on the December 11 episode of Raw, with Rhodes winning by disqualification as Nakamura once again utilized the mist to blind Rhodes, with the latter being saved by the Creed Brothers.[252] Nakamura would continue to torment Rhodes through promos, including a segmented entitled 'The American Nightmare Before Christmas' on the December 18 episode of Raw, which included Nakamura insulting Rhode's father, Dusty Rhodes, leading to Rhodes attacking him backstage.[253] Finally, on the January 8, 2024 episode of Raw, Nakamura and Rhodes fought in a Street Fight match, with Rhodes defeating Nakamura and seemingly putting an end to the feud.[254]
Nakamura was an entrant in the 2024 Royal Rumble, where he entered 6th, before being eliminated by the eventual winner Cody Rhodes with zero eliminations. The two would face off in a Bull Rope match on the February 5 episode, where Rhodes would win once again.[255] During the 2024 draft, Nakamura was drafted back to the SmackDown brand.
Pro Wrestling Noah (2023)
[edit]On October 30, 2022, Pro Wrestling Noah announced that Nakamura (while under WWE contract) will be The Great Muta's opponent for the Noah The New Year show on January 1, 2023.[256][257] At the event, Nakamura defeated Muta.
In other media
[edit]Along with fellow NJPW wrestler Kazuchika Okada, Nakamura is featured in the Japanese music video directed by fashion designer, DJ and record producer Nigo for Pharrell Williams' song "Happy", released in May 2014.[258] On May 27, 2014, Nakamura published an autobiography titled King of Strong Style: 1980–2014.[259] An English language version of the book was released by Viz Media on August 7, 2018.[260] Nakamura made his first video game appearance as a playable character in King of Colosseum II in 2004,[261] Nakamura has been added in fourteen WWE games: WWE Tap Mania, WWE Mayhem, WWE Universe, WWE Undefeated, WWE Champions, WWE SuperCard, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, and WWE 2K24
Nakamura's theme was sampled on Lil Uzi Vert's song "Nakamura" (Named after him), which appeared on Uzi's 2023 album Pink Tape.
Personal life
[edit]Nakamura resides in Orlando, Florida.[262] He has been an avid surfer since 2003. He married Harumi Maekawa in September 2007.
Nakamura also practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Shito-ryu karate.
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]- The Baltimore Sun
- WWE Match of the Year (2016) vs. Sami Zayn at NXT TakeOver: Dallas[263]
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP 3rd Belt Championship[a] (1 time)[6]
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[7]
- IWGP Intercontinental Championship (5 times)[40][74][88][99][115]
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Hiroshi Tanahashi[6]
- IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship (1 time)[6]
- NWF Heavyweight Championship[b] (1 time)[6]
- 10,000,000 Yen Tag Tournament (2004) – with Hiroyoshi Tenzan[6]
- G1 Climax (2011)[35]
- G1 Tag League (2006) – with Masahiro Chono[7]
- National District Tournament (2006) – with Koji Kanemoto[264]
- New Japan Cup (2014)[87]
- Teisen Hall Cup Six Man Tag Team Tournament (2003) – with Hiro Saito and Tatsutoshi Goto[6]
- Yuko Six Man Tag Team Tournament (2004) – with Blue Wolf and Katsuhiko Nakajima[6]
- Heavyweight Tag MVP Award (2005) with Hiroshi Tanahashi[265]
- New Wave Award (2003)[266]
- Tag Team Best Bout (2004) with Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Katsuyori Shibata and Masahiro Chono on October 24[267]
- Technique Award (2004)[267]
- Nikkan Sports
- Match of the Year Award (2009) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi on November 8[268]
- Match of the Year Award (2014) vs. Kazuchika Okada on August 10[269]
- Outstanding Performance Award (2003)[270]
- Technique Award (2012)[271]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (2016)[272]
- Ranked No. 5 of the best 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2015[273]
- Tokyo Sports
- Best Bout Award (2013) vs. Kota Ibushi on August 4[274]
- Best Bout Award (2014) vs. Kazuchika Okada on August 10[275]
- Best Bout Award (2023) vs. The Great Muta on Keiji Muto Grand Final Pro-Wrestling "Last" Love[276][277]
- Rookie of the Year Award (2003)[278]
- Technique Award (2012)[279][280]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Most Charismatic (2014, 2015)[281][282]
- Pro Wrestling Match of the Year (2015) vs. Kota Ibushi on January 4[281]
- Wrestler of the Year (2014)[282]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2015)[283]
- WWE
Mixed martial arts record
[edit]5 matches | 3 wins | 1 loss |
By submission | 3 | 1 |
No contests | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 3–1 (1) | Alexey Ignashov | Submission (forearm choke) | K-1 MMA ROMANEX | May 22, 2004 | 2 | 1:51 | Saitama, Japan | |
NC | 2–1 (1) | Alexey Ignashov | NC (overturned) | K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!! | December 31, 2003 | 3 | 1:19 | Nagoya, Japan | |
Win | 2–1 | Shane Eitner | Submission (americana) | Jungle Fight 1 | September 13, 2003 | 1 | 4:29 | Manaus, Brazil | |
Win | 1–1 | Jan Nortje | Submission (guillotine choke) | NJPW Ultimate Crush | May 2, 2003 | 2 | 3:12 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Loss | 0–1 | Daniel Gracie | Submission (armbar) | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2002 | December 31, 2002 | 2 | 2:14 | Saitama, Japan |
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ After winning the IGF's version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, also known as the IWGP 3rd Belt Championship, the title was unified with the NJPW sanctioned IWGP Heavyweight Championship, which Nakamura also held at the time.
- ^ After winning the NWF Heavyweight Championship, the title was unified with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, which Nakamura also held at the time.
References
[edit]- ^ "Shinsuke Nakamura". WrestlingData. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2010.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Entourage « Antonio Inoki « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Cagematch profile". Cagematch. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "Puroresu Central profile". Puroresu Central. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Purolove profile". Purolove.com. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ "UpUpDownDown interview". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (July 4, 2015). "NJPW on AXS TV report 7-3-15: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ a b "Sherdog profile". Shordog. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ Wilson, Kevin. "New Japan Nexess". Puroresu Central. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ "中邑、WWE"レンタル移籍"か". Daily Sports (in Japanese). May 18, 2006. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 10/29/06". Strong Style Spirit. October 29, 2006. Archived from the original on November 19, 2006. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
- ^ "Results New Japan, 2/15/09". Strong Style Spirit. February 15, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ "New Japan vs. IGF imminent?, Liger in NOAH tournament, Tenzan has surgery". Strong Style Spirit. October 1, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ "Results New Japan, 10/12/09". Strong Style Spirit. October 12, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ "Results New Japan, 11/8/09". Strong Style Spirit. November 8, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ "Results New Japan, 12/5/09 & first 1/4 matches announced!". Strong Style Spirit. December 5, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ "January 4 New Japan Tokyo Dome report - legends, promotional wars". Wrestling Observer. January 4, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
- ^ "Results New Japan, 2/14/10". Strong Style Spirit. February 14, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
- ^ "Results New Japan, 4/4/10 & Super J Tag Tournament lineup". Strong Style Spirit. April 4, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ Flores, Manuel (May 3, 2010). "Jushin Liger, nuevo campeón mundial medio del CMLL – Nakamura pierde el título IWGP" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
- ^ "Partial 6.19 Osaka card announced; GBH vs. NOAH, Hair vs. Hair, more!". Strong Style Spirit. May 17, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan "Dominion 6.19"". Strong Style Spirit. June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 7/19/10". Strong Style Spirit. July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 8/14/10". Strong Style Spirit. August 14, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 8/15/10". Strong Style Spirit. August 15, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
- ^ "NJ in NOAH results; Kanemoto & Tiger win belts, Nakamura loses". Strong Style Spirit. August 22, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
- ^ "Arguments over next challenger, G1 Tag cards". Strong Style Spirit. October 12, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 12/11/10 & Liger wins another title in USA". Strong Style Spirit. December 11, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ レッスルキングダムV in 東京ドーム. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ Gerweck, Steve (January 4, 2011). "1/4 TNA-NJPW Results: Tokyo, Japan". Wrestleview. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ レスリングどんたく 2011. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ^ Zayfren (May 17, 2011). "Shinsuke Nakamura viajará a México" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "ブシロード Presents G1 Climax XXI ~The Invincible Fighter~". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 14, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
- ^ "G1 Climax Special 2011". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved September 19, 2011.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 11/4/11". Strong Style Spirit. November 4, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ^ "G1 Tag League 2011". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 6, 2011.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムVI in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
- ^ a b "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Kizuna Road". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ "カードファイト!! ヴァンガード Presents NJPW 40th anniversary Tour G1 Climax 22 ~The One And Only~". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 5, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
- ^ "カードファイト!! ヴァンガード Presents NJPW 40th anniversary Tour G1 Climax 22 ~The One And Only~". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 12, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
- ^ Gee Schoon Tong, Chris (August 27, 2012). "8/26 SWF results Northern California: Alex Shelley & A.J. Kirsch challenge for IWGP Jr. Tag Titles, New Japan's IC Title defended, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
- ^ "【アメリカ遠征速報!!】中邑がIC王座初防衛!! 新ベルトも披露!! A・シェリーをKushidaが救出!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
- ^ アメリカ遠征中の中邑真輔が、テキサス・レンジャーズ公式戦の始球式に登場!!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 28, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary King of Pro-Wrestling". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ Namako, Jason (October 8, 2012). "10/8 NJPW iPPV Results: Tokyo, Japan". Wrestleview. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Power Struggle". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ Namako, Jason (November 12, 2012). "11/11 NJPW iPPV Results: Osaka, Japan". Wrestleview. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ "11月20日(火)開幕!!『World Tag League 2012』の対戦カード決定!! TDC大会、愛知大会には桜庭&柴田が特別参戦!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). November 16, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "Wrestle Kingdom 7 ~Evolution~ in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "Show Results - 1/4 New Japan Tokyo Dome Show: Former WWE stars in undercard matches, Tanahashi vs. Okada, did any titles change hands?". Pro Wrestling Torch. January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "Road to The New Beginning". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2013.
- ^ 旗揚げ記念日. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "Road to Invasion Attack". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "Invasion Attack". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, James (April 7, 2013). "Caldwell's New Japan "Invasion Attack" iPPV report 4/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of new IWGP World champion, U.S. stars in title matches, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ レスリングどんたく 2013. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2013.
- ^ "Show results - 5/3 NJPW Dontaku PPV: U.S. stars lose titles or title matches, Okada's first IWGP Title defense, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. May 4, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
- ^ 中邑強行「メキシコで防衛戦」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 12, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ "イヤァオ!メヒコ!中邑真輔、刺激を求めてCMLL参戦!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
- ^ メヒコで抗争激化! 中邑真輔選手5月24日(金)アレナメヒコ金曜定期戦試合結果. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). May 20, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ 5月31日メキシコ現地にて、ラ・ソンブラが中邑真輔のインターコンチ王座に再挑戦!!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). May 27, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ Mexicool, Rey (May 31, 2013). "¡La Sombra... nuevo Campeón Intercontinental IWGP!" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ Salazar López, Alexis A. (June 1, 2013). "Resultados Arena México Viernes 31 de Mayo '13". Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ ラ・ソンブラが新インターコンチネンタル王者に! 中邑がメキシコで王座陥落!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). June 1, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (June 1, 2013). "Sombra wins IC title at Arena Mexico". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ Salazar López, Alexis A. (June 10, 2013). "Resultados Arena Coliseo Domingo 9 de Junio '13". Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (in Spanish). Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ^ "Dominion 6.22". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ a b "吉野家Presents Kizuna Road 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved July 20, 2013.
- ^ "ブ『G1 Climax 23』出場メンバー発表!! 飯伏幸太、石井智宏が初出場!! 柴田勝頼が9年ぶりエントリー!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). July 5, 2013. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ "ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, James (August 11, 2013). "Live results - New Japan's G1 Climax Finals 8/11: Caldwell's complete coverage of Sunday's event featuring Naito vs. Tanahashi, Shelton, Hoyt, Bulldog, Jr., Devitt, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ "Destruction". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved September 29, 2013.
- ^ "King of Pro-Wrestling". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved October 14, 2013.
- ^ "Power Struggle". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 7, 2013.
- ^ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (January 4, 2014). "Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of New Japan's biggest show of the year - four title changes, former WWE/TNA stars featured, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "The New Beginning in Hiroshima". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (February 9, 2014). "NJPW News: Titles defended at Sunday's "New Beginning" show - IWGP IC Title, IWGP Tag Titles, NWA World Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ a b "New Japan Cup 2014". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "Invasion Attack 2014". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 6, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (April 6, 2014). "Caldwell's NJPW PPV results 4/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Invasion Attack 2014" - Nakamura regains IC Title, A.J. Styles big angle, new NWA tag champions, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (May 17, 2014). "Caldwell's ROH iPPV results 5/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of War of the Worlds - ROH Title & IWGP Title main events, new ROH tag champs, Steen vs. Nakamura, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ^ "Back to the Yokohama Arena". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (May 25, 2014). "Caldwell's NJPW iPPV results 5/25: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live show featuring Styles vs. Okada for IWGP World Title, MOTY Contender, NWA Tag Titles, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- ^ "Dominion 6.21". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 24, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (June 21, 2014). "NJPW news: Key results from Saturday's "Dominion" PPV featuring U.S. stars in top title matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Namako, Jason (August 8, 2014). "8/8 NJPW G-1 Climax Day 11 recap (Okada/Suzuki)". Wrestleview. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (August 10, 2014). "Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals results 8/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Okada vs. Nakamura tournament finals, Styles vs. Tanahashi, Jeff Jarrett, ROH tag champs, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ a b "Destruction in Kobe". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (September 21, 2014). "Caldwell's New Japan PPV results 9/21: Complete live coverage of "Destruction in Kobe" - Nakamura regains IC Title, Tanahashi vs. Shibata, A.J. Styles, new Jr. Hvt. champion, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
- ^ "Power Struggle". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
- ^ "『World Tag League 2014』出場チーム&公式戦が決定! 棚橋はヨシタツとタッグ結成! 桜庭、AJ、柴田、ROH、NWAも参戦!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). November 11, 2014. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ "World Tag League 2014". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ "Wrestle Kingdom 9 in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ Caldwell, James (January 4, 2015). "Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome show results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Wrestle Kingdom PPV - Tanahashi vs. Okada, Bullet Club, Nakamura, Jim Ross, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ "The New Beginning in Sendai". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ "レスリングどんたく 2015". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
- ^ "Dominion 7.5 in Osaka-jo Hall". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (July 4, 2015). "New Japan Dominion live coverage from Osaka Jo Hall - Styles vs. Okada for IWGP title, Nakamura vs. Goto for IC title and notes on biggest event since the Tokyo Dome, plus all G-1 main events". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ Sempervive, Mike (July 18, 2015). "The Big Audio Nightmare's Guide to the annual New Japan G1 Climax". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "【G125】【お詫びとお知らせ】7月28日(火)大分・別府大会を中邑真輔選手が欠場、エルガン選手とのリーグ戦は不戦敗に". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). July 28, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 25". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 25". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (August 15, 2015). "NJPW G1 Climax 8-16 live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "Destruction in Kobe". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ "Show results - 9/27 NJPW "Destruction in Kobe" Event: Major title change in the main event, ReDragon vs. Time Splitters, A.J. Styles's Bullet Club in action, more big matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ "2020.08.29 D4DJ Groovy Mix Presents Summer Struggle in Jingu". NJPW. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (November 6, 2015). "NJPW Power Struggle live results 2015: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Karl Anderson for IC title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ 中邑が1・4ドームIC戦の挑戦者を公募. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). October 24, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 3, 2016). "Wrestle Kingdom 10 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (January 4, 2016). "NJPW stars Nakamura, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson headed to WWE". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James (January 4, 2016). "PWTorch Report – Four big names leaving New Japan, heading to WWE". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (January 5, 2016). "Bullet Club/Nakamura-WWE update". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Update: Styles, Nakamura, Bullet Club to WWE, Rousey to host SNL". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
- ^ 中邑真輔選手、退団のお知らせ. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 12, 2016). "New Japan strips Shinsuke Nakamura of the Intercontinental Title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ 中邑が新日退団会見「新たな刺激、環境、舞台を求めて挑戦し続ける」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James (January 25, 2016). "Nakamura formally announces NJPW exit, stripped of IC Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
- ^ "Road to the New Beginning". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Nakamura out for Vegas". Ring of Honor. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
- ^ "Shinsuke Nakamura vs Elix Skipper - TNA Xplosion - January 28, 2008". Impact Wrestling on FITE TV. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ インターコンチ王者・中邑が新日プロ退団!WWE入り. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James; Radican, Sean (January 6, 2016). "NJPW to WWE Update – Tokyo Sports reports Nakamura's exit". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (January 27, 2016). "Shinsuke Nakamura is coming to NXT". WWE. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (January 31, 2016). "Shinsuke Nakamura-WWE update". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ 中邑が初激白した「WWE挑戦の目的」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (February 21, 2016). "Shinsuke Nakamura signs with WWE NXT". WWE. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (February 21, 2016). "WWE/Nakamura press conference; Ibushi announcement; NJPW Cup Tournament". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James (April 1, 2016). "4/1 NXT Takeover: Dallas Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report on Nakamura vs. Zayn". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
- ^ James, Justin (April 14, 2016). "4/13 WWE NXT Results – James's Report on Shinsuke Nakamura Wed. Night debut, Austin Aries, Gargano & Ciampa, Bayley post-title loss, Tessa Blanchard, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ James, Justin. "5/25 WWE NXT Results – James's Report on Aries-Nakamura promo, #1 contender Women's main event, TMDK vs. Gargano & Ciampa, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "6/8 "NXT Takeover" Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report on "The End"". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ James, Justin (June 16, 2016). "6/15 WWE NXT TV Results – James's Report on "Takeover" fall-out, Balor-Nakamura set-up, TM61, Ellering, Blanchard, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ^ James, Justin (July 14, 2016). "7/13 WWE NXT TV Results – James's Report on Balor vs. Nakumara: The Match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "8/20 "WWE NXT Takeover: Brooklyn" Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ James, Justin. "James' NXT Takeover: Toronto Review 11/19: Nakamura vs. Joe, Asuka vs. James, #DIY vs. The Revival, and more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ Taylor, Scott. "Shinsuke Nakamura def. Samoa Joe to win the NXT Championship". WWE. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
- ^ Taylor, Scott. "NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura def. Samoa Joe (Steel Cage Match)". WWE. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
- ^ Powell, Jason. "1/28 Powell's NXT Takeover: San Antonio Live Review – Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode for the NXT Title, DIY vs. Authors of Pain for the NXT Tag Titles, Asuka vs. Nikki Cross vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ Coyle, Sean (March 16, 2017). "Bobby Roode edges past Kassius Ohno to retain NXT title, gets Shinsuke Nakamura in Orlando". ESPN. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
- ^ "Shinsuke Nakamura bid farewell to NXT". WWE.com.
- ^ Docking, Neil (April 2, 2017). "NXT TakeOver: Orlando results as Shinsuke Nakamura challenged Bobby Roode". mirror. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ "Shinsuke Nakamura Receives Standing Ovation After NXT TakeOver: Orlando (VIDEO)". Pro Wrestling Sheet. April 1, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ Keller, Wade (April 4, 2017). "Keller's WWE Smackdown Report 4/4: WrestleMania 33 fallout including celebration interview with Orton, rematches, Miz & Maryse, and some NXT call-ups!". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
- ^ Burdick, Michael (May 9, 2017). "Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler". WWE. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
- ^ Burdick, Michael. "United States Champion Kevin Owens, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler and Shinsuke Nakamura (Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match)". WWE. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Baron Corbin wins the 2017 Money in the Bank contract". WWE. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 18, 2017). "6/18 Powell's WWE Money in the Bank Live Review: Men's and Women's MITB ladder matches, Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Naomi vs. Lana for the Smackdown Women's Championship, The Usos vs. New Day for the Smackdown Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin". WWE. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Shinsuke Nakamura def. Baron Corbin via Disqualification". WWE. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
- ^ Keller, Wade. "Keller's WWE Smackdown Report 7/25: Surprise return, Owens gloats and Styles wants rematch, Nakamura vs. Corbin". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ Keller, Wade. "Keller's WWE Smackdown Report 8/1: John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a first-time dream match, Owens challenges Styles for U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ Burdick, Michael (August 1, 2017). "WWE Champion Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (August 20, 2017). "WWE Champion Jinder Mahal def. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
- ^ Keller, Wade. "Keller's WWE Smackdown Report 9/5: Nakamura vs. Orton to earn WWE Title match at Hell in a Cell, Carmella vs. Natalya, big Shane-Owens angle". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ^ Melok, Bobby (September 5, 2017). "WWE Champion Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (October 8, 2017). "WWE Champion Jinder Mahal def. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Powell, Jason (October 31, 2017). "10/31 Powell's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens for a spot on Team Smackdown at Survivor Series, Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler in a best of three falls match for a spot on Team Smackdown". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- ^ Wortman, James (November 19, 2017). "Team Raw def. Team SmackDown in a Men's 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match". WWE. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (December 17, 2017). "Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn def. Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton". WWE. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
- ^ Jack Jorgensen (January 16, 2018). "WWE Mixed Match Challenge: Facebook Watch live stream, time, teams". CBS Sports. CBS. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (January 28, 2018). "Shinsuke Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble Match". WWE. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ "Full 2018 30-Man Royal Rumble Match statistics: entrants, eliminations, times and more". WWE. January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 28, 2018). "WWE Royal Rumble 2018 live review: Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches, Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match for the WWE Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ Burdick, Michael (January 29, 2018). "WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (April 8, 2018). "WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 8, 2018). "Powell's WrestleMania 34 live review: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 10, 2018). "4/10 Powell's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan, Paige named new general manager, New Day vs. The Usos for a Smackdown Tag Title shot at the Greatest Royal Rumble". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ Keller, Wade (April 10, 2018). "Keller's WWE Smackdown Report 4/10: WrestleMania 34 fallout, Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. Styles, new G.M. announced, Tag Team Contenders decided". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 17, 2018). "4/17 Powell's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: The WWE Superstar Shakeup Night Two". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (April 24, 2018). "4/24 Barnett's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Daniel Bryan on Miz TV, Carmella and Charlotte contract signing, Asuka and Becky Lynch vs. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, Jimmy Uso vs. Erick Rowan". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- ^ Burdick, Michael. "WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Watch the music video for Shinsuke Nakamura's new entrance music". WWE. April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 27, 2018). "Powell's WWE Greatest Royal Rumble live review: 50-man Royal Rumble match, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns in a cage match for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, John Cena vs. Triple H, Undertaker vs. Rusev in a casket match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (April 27, 2018). "AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura set for WWE Backlash". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (May 1, 2018). "5/1 Barnett's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Final push for WWE Backlash, Miz TV with Jeff Hardy, Charlotte, Asuka, and Becky Lynch vs. Carmella, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (May 6, 2018). "Powell's WWE Backlash live review: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a No DQ match for the WWE Championship, Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe, Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Martin, Adam (May 14, 2018). "Shane McMahon books AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship at MITB". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (May 15, 2018). "5/15 Powell's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the right to pick the stipulation for their match at MITB, Andrade Almas and Zelina Vega debut, New Day vs. Sheamus and Cesaro for a spot in the MITB match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Nemer, Roy (May 22, 2018). "WWE Smackdown Results – 5/22/18 (Second Chance Match, MITB Qualifier and MizTV)". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 17, 2018). "Powell's WWE Money in the Bank live review: Two MITB ladder matches, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship, Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Lauren Theisen (June 27, 2018). "Dog Bites Man, Who Happens To Be WWE's Shinsuke Nakamura". Deadspin. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (July 3, 2018). "Shinsuke Nakamura returning in time for WWE Extreme Rules". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (July 15, 2018). "Powell's WWE Extreme Rules live review: Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles vs. Rusev vs. for the WWE Championship, Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins in a 30-minute Iron Man match for the IC Title, Bludgeon Brothers vs. Team Hell No for the Smackdown Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ^ Powell, Jason (August 19, 2018). "Powell's WWE SummerSlam 2018 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship, Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women's Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ "Shinsuke Nakamura refuses to compete on SmackDown LIVE: SmackDown Exclusive, Aug. 28, 2018". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube..
- ^ Nemer, Roy (October 16, 2018). "WWE Smackdown 1000 Results – 10/16/18 (World Cup, The Undertaker, Evolution reunites)". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ "United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev (Kickoff Match)". WWE. November 1, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Wortman, James. "United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura def. Rusev". WWE. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ Wortman, James (November 18, 2018). "Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins def. United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason. "Powell's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev for the U.S. Title, Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy, Andrade Almas vs. Mustafa Ali, Miz TV with Shane McMahon". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
- ^ Wortman, James. "Shinsuke Nakamura def. Rusev to become the new United States Champion (Kickoff Match)". WWE. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 27, 2019). "Powell's WWE Royal Rumble 2019 live review: Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches, Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor for the WWE Universal Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ Keller, Wade (January 29, 2019). "1/29 WWE Smackdown Results: Keller's report on Royal Rumble fallout, Becky Lynch comes out after Ronda Rousey confrontation at Raw, Bryan, Miz & Shane, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ Powell, Jason (March 10, 2019). "Powell's WWE Fastlane 2019 live review: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair, Daniel Bryan vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship, The Shield vs. Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, and Baron Corbin, The Usos vs. Shane McMahon and The Miz for the Smackdown Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ "The Usos turn WrestleMania into The Uso Penitentiary in frantic Fatal 4-Way". WWE.
- ^ P., Leon (June 8, 2019). "There Were Actually 51 Competitors in the Super ShowDown Battle Royal, Complete List". PWInsider. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ^ "Bálor to defend Intercontinental Title against Nakamura on Extreme Rules Kickoff". WWE.
- ^ a b "Intercontinental Championship". WWE.
- ^ MacDonald, Josiah (July 18, 2019). "WWE Smackville live results: Kingston vs. Joe vs. Ziggler". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ Powell, Jason (September 15, 2019). "WWE Clash of Champions results: Powell's live review of Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Championship, Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (October 31, 2019). "WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez for the WWE Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Universal Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury, Lacey Evans vs. Natalya". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Powell, Jason (November 24, 2019). "WWE Survivor Series results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Rey Mysterio in a No Holds Barred match for the WWE Championship, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Bayley in a non-title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Nemer, Roy (November 24, 2019). "WWE SmackDown Results – 11/29/19 (Survivor Series fallout, Firefly Fun House)". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 26, 2020). "WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan in a strap match for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (January 31, 2020). "1/31 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns and The Usos vs. King Corbin, Robert Roode, and Dolph Ziggler, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Braun Strowman for the Intercontinental Championship, four-way for a shot at the Smackdown Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 8, 2020). "Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro def. Braun Strowman; Zayn became the new Intercontinental Champion". WWE. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Powell, Jason (March 8, 2020). "WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Shayna Baszler vs. Asuka vs. Ruby Riott vs. Liv Morgan vs. Sarah Logan vs. Natalya in an Elimination Chamber match for a shot at the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36, Smackdown Tag Title Elimination Chamber match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "WWE Smackdown on FOX Results for 3/27/20 Asuka vs Alexa Bliss, Nakamura vs Gulak". Fightful.
- ^ "WWE Smackdown on FOX Results for 7/10/20 Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match". Fightful.
- ^ "New SmackDown Tag Team Champions Crowned At The Horror Show At WWE Extreme Rules".
- ^ Powell, Jason (October 9, 2020). "10/9 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the 2020 WWE Draft night one, Bayley vs. Sasha Banks for the Smackdown Women's Championship, The Fiend vs. Kevin Owens, Big E vs. Sheamus in a Falls Count Anywhere match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (October 12, 2020). "WWE Raw Results – 10/12/20 (Final night of the 2020 WWE Draft, Rollins says goodbye)". Wrestleview. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (January 8, 2021). "WWE Smackdown on FOX Results for 1/8/21 WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match". Fightful. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (January 15, 2021). "WWE Smackdown on FOX Results for 1/15/21 Shinsuke Nakamura vs Jey Uso". Fightful. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (January 31, 2021). "WWE Royal Rumble 2021 Results Roman Reigns vs Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre vs Goldberg". Fightful. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (March 21, 2021). "WWE Fastlane Results Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan, Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus". Fightful. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (May 4, 2021). "WWE Smackdown on FOX Results for 5/14/21 The Last Stop Before Wrestlemania: Backlash". Fightful. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ WWE (May 21, 2021). "SmackDown results, May 21, 2021: SmackDown's Fatal 4-Way Fades to Black". wwe.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ Cook, Ryan (June 18, 2021). "WWE Smackdown on FOX Results for 6/18/21 The Last Stop Before Hell in a Cell". Fightful. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ^ "SmackDown results July 9, 2021: Edge and The Mysterios aggressively repel Reigns and The Usos". WWE. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "Big E won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match". WWE. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- ^ "Big title Change On Tonight's WWE SmackDown". Wrestling Inc. August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (September 24, 2021). "9/24 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Barnett's review of King Nakamura vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship, Liv Morgan vs. Zelina Vega, "Happy Talk" hosted by Happy Corbin, the final push for Extreme Rules". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (October 8, 2021). "10/08 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Rey Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn in a King of the Ring tournament match, Liv Morgan vs. Carmella in a Queens Crown tournament match, contract signing for Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks at WWE Crown Jewel". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ "United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura". WWE. November 15, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Guzzo, Gisberto (February 12, 2022). "WWE SmackDown Spoilers For 2/18/22 (Taped On 2/11/22)". Fightful. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (February 18, 2022). "2/18 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns and Goldberg meeting face to face, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship, the contract signing for Ronda Rousey and Naomi vs. Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville at Elimination Chamber". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (April 2, 2022). "WrestleMania 38 results: Powell's live review of night one with Steve Austin on The KO Show, Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women's Title, Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the Raw Women's Title, Seth Rollins vs. an opponent of Vince McMahon's choosingWrestleMania 38 results: Powell's live review of night one with Steve Austin on The KO Show, Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women's Title, Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the Raw Women's Title, Seth Rollins vs. an opponent of Vince McMahon's choosing". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (June 3, 2022). "6/3 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Barnett's review of The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Riddle for the Unified WWE Tag Titles, Raquel Rodriguez vs. Aliyah vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Natalya vs. Shotzi vs. Xia Li in a Six Pack Challenge for a shot at the Smackdown Women's Title, Riddick Moss returns". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 24, 2022). "6/24 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Gunther vs. Ricochet for the Intercontinental Title, Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Shotzi vs. Tamina in Money in the Bank ladder match qualifiers, The Viking Raiders return". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (June 27, 2022). "6/27 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of John Cena's 20th Anniversary celebration, AEW wrestlers submit Cena videos, a 20-man battle royal for a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match, a six-woman elimination match for a spot in the MITB ladder match, Jey Uso vs. Montez Ford". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ Powell, Jason (August 12, 2022). "8/12 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Gunther vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship, Liv Morgan and Shayna Baszler contract signing for WWE Clash at the Castle, Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah vs. Xia Li and Shotzi in a WWE Women's Tag Title tournament match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (October 18, 2022). "Shinsuke Nakamura appears on WWE NXT". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Bath, Dave (April 14, 2023). "WWE SmackDown live results: Shinsuke Nakamura returns. There will also be a championship celebration with Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan. 2023". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ Barnett, Jake (April 28, 2023). "4/28 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Barnett's review of the WWE Draft night one, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Zelina Vega vs. Sonya Deville". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Dhakite, Akash (May 30, 2023). "Another Money in the Bank participant confirmed after beating Bronson Reed on WWE RAW". Sportskeeda. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Jeremy (August 7, 2023). "Shinsuke Nakamura Turns Heel on Raw - Attacks Seth Rollins". 411MANIA. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ WWE.com Staff (August 21, 2023). "Shinsuke Nakamura to challenge Seth "Freakin" Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title". WWE. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ Lopez, Joshua (October 7, 2023). "WWE Fastlane Results 10/7/2023". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ "WWE Raw (11/27/23) Results: CM Punk's First Raw In A Decade, Randy Orton Returns After 18 Months | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "WWE Raw (12/11/23) Results: CM Punk Chooses His Brand, Cody Rhodes Takes On Shinsuke Nakamura, More | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "WWE Raw (12/18/23) Results: Three Title Bouts, Miracle On 34th Street Fight, Seth Rollins Speaks | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "WWE Raw (1/8/24) Results: CM Punk Returns To Portland, Cody Rhodes Takes On Shinsuke Nakamura, More | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "WWE Royal Rumble (1/27/2024) Results: Roman Reigns Competes, Two Royal Rumble Matches, More Set | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (October 30, 2022). "WWE's Shinsuke Nakamura to face The Great Muta at NOAH The New Year 2023". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Datta, Soumik (October 30, 2022). "WWE's Shinsuke Nakamura to face The Great Muta at NOAH The New Year 2023". Sportskeeda. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ あのファレル・ウィリアムスの大ヒットシングル『ハッピー』日本版ミュージックビデオに、中邑真輔&オカダ・カズチカが出演!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). April 30, 2014. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
- ^ "【いよいよ本日より!!】5月27日(火)発売! 中邑真輔"自伝" 『King of Strong Style 1980-2014』!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ "Vizz Media Steps Into the World of Professional Wrestling for the Release of King of Strong Style: 1980-2014". Viz Media. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- ^ "King of Colosseum II". Giant Bomb. September 9, 2004. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (March 27, 2016). "Nakamura-WWE update". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- ^ Oster, Aaron (December 31, 2016). "WWE 2016 end-of-year awards". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ 11月17日(金)東京ドームシティ・ジオポリス. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 6, 2007. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
- ^ "2005 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ "2003 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ a b "2004 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 2009". wrestlingscout. February 28, 2016.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 2014". wrestlingscout. September 6, 2016.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 2003". wrestlingscout. February 19, 2016.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 2012". wrestlingscout. September 25, 2016.
- ^ "PWI Awards". pwi-online.com.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2015". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
- ^ オカダ・カズチカが2年連続「プロレス大賞」MVP!25年ぶりの快挙. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 10, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- ^ "オカダVS中邑「プロレス大賞ベストバウト」は新日8・10西武ドーム「G1決勝戦」". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (December 12, 2023). "Tetsuya Naito wins 2023 Tokyo Sports MVP Award". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Lafferriere, Nicolas (December 12, 2023). "Tokyo Sports premia a Tetsuya Naito como el mejor luchador del 2023". Solowrestling (in Spanish). Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "Rookie of the Year". Cagematch. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
- ^ 「2012年度プロレス大賞」受賞者. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "【最年少タイ!!】オカダが『プロレス大賞』MVPを「あたりまえ」の初受賞!! ベストバウトはオカダvs棚橋!中邑は技能賞!!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (January 25, 2016). "January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 16, 27. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2015). "Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue w/ results & Dave's commentary, Conor McGregor, and much more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1, 11. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (November 9, 2015). "November 9, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Hall of Fame Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ "NXT Championship". WWE. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
- ^ "WWE United States Championship". Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship". Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Shinsuke Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble Match". WWE. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ a b Witner, Arya (January 28, 2017). "NXT TakeOver San Antonio live results: Nakamura vs. Roode". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
External links
[edit]- Shinsuke Nakamura at Sherdog
- Shinsuke Nakamura at the International Wrestling Database
- Shinsuke Nakamura at WWE.com
- Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestlingData.com
- Shinsuke Nakamura at CageMatch worker
- Shinsuke Nakamura on Instagram
- Shinsuke Nakamura on Twitter
- Shinsuke Nakamura at IMDb
- 1980 births
- 21st-century male professional wrestlers
- Aoyama Gakuin University alumni
- Chaos (professional wrestling) members
- Expatriate professional wrestlers
- IWGP Heavyweight champions
- IWGP Intercontinental champions
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Greco-Roman wrestling
- Japanese male mixed martial artists
- Japanese male professional wrestlers
- Living people
- NWA/WCW/WWE United States Heavyweight Champions
- NWF Heavyweight Champions
- NXT Champions
- Contestants on Japanese game shows
- Royal Rumble match winners
- G1 Climax winners
- WWE Tag Team Champions
- Professional wrestlers who competed in MMA
- Sportspeople from Kyoto Prefecture
- WWF/WWE Intercontinental Champions
- World Tag League (NJPW) winners
- New Japan Cup winners