For the past eight years, WWE has seen Shinsuke Nakamura as a pivotal presence, having shifted from NJPW to further his wrestling career in the U.S. Despite 2024 not particularly being his best year so far, indications suggest that Nakamura is expected to partake in this week’s SmackDown recordings.
Nakamura last graced the WWE screen during the episode of RAW on April 22nd, a match he unfortunately lost against Sheamus.
The 2024 tally for Nakamura portrays a solitary pay-per-view event, eight on-screen matches, four closed-door bouts, and 38 unofficial live event participations. This record reveals a disappointing win-loss ratio.
However, a report from Pwinsider anticipates Nakamura’s presence at the SmackDown edition on October 25th in Brooklyn, NY. WWE has plans to air a live episode this coming Friday night and then proceed with recording the next week’s SmackDown finale. This is in the lead up to the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia due in 2024.
Come New Year’s Day in 2025, Nakamura is expected to make his return to NOAH at the Nippon Budokan.