2024 has been a challenging year for WWE veteran Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura has an unusual win-loss record this year, with only one victory and a staggering 39 losses. The King of Strong Style recently appeared at UFC 303, accompanying fellow Japanese MMA fighter Rei Tsuruya to his fight.
Tsuruya continued his perfect run in the UFC with his 10th victory in a row against Carlos Hernandez at UFC 303. He won unanimously, scoring 29-28 in his favor. After his victory, Rei Tsuruya celebrated by striking Shinsuke Nakamura‘s iconic pose, while the latter joined him in the celebration.
The Artist talked backstage ahead of Tsuruya’s match at UFC 303 and stated that he had known his family for years. He couldn’t contain the excitement of being on his team and was assured that his fellow Japanese fighter would win his match. Speaking about his WWE run, he was in a decent heel run at the end of last year when he started a rivalry with Cody Rhodes. Despite Nakamura ending up losing that rivalry, he turned a lot of heads with his intense promo on The American Nightmare’s father.
He also got the opportunity to win the Gauntlet match to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania XL. However, Sami Zayn won the match and eventually became the champion. A recent report from WON suggested that he has no interest in returning to his roots and wrestling in NJPW, as he enjoys living in the U.S. Therefore, the WWE Universe is clamoring for him to have one more run at the top.
Fans reacted to Shinsuke Nakamura going to the UFC to support fellow Japanese fighter Rei Tsuruya
The WWE Universe was happy to see the King of Strong Style in the UFC. More crossovers are happening due to the UFC and WWE merger. Some fans appreciated seeing him support Tsuruya, while others expressed concern about his current WWE run.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rei Tsuruya (via Wrestling Headlines) One fan mocked his WWE run, stating that he got more TV time on UFC than in WWE. Another fan wished to see more UFC and WWE crossovers in the future. Some fans said that Nakamura was underrated as a cornerman and that he should come more often to be in Tsuruya’s corner. Here are some of the top reactions from fans:
He got more TV time on UFC than on WWE this year..
— TribalCena (@TribalCena) June 29, 2024
This is awesome for Shinsuke Nakamura. We love to see WWE and UFC doing great things.
— Mollie Smith (@Molliestake87) June 29, 2024
Shinsuke Nakamura is undefeated as a cornerman!
— (•_•) (@ThisNotCom) June 29, 2024
Now that was very boring fight.. no punches no kicks ,,just 2 kids playing on the ground
— MR EURO2024( Godson) 🤴🤴🤴🤴💰💰💵💵💸💸 (@Malusi43334413) June 29, 2024
If he doesn’t already he needs to walk out to Nakamura’s entrance
— Roy Martinez (@Royfiz) June 30, 2024
It’s easy when you got the King of Strong Style in your corner 🔥
— 💔HeartBreakSid💔 (@SidSimpson34) June 29, 2024
One user praised the 44-year-old veteran by saying Tsuruya was destined to win with him on his side. Another user criticized the fight, calling it boring, with no punches and no kicks. Overall, the WWE Universe was thrilled to see Nakamura in the UFC, with some even labeling him as one of the greatest in wrestling.
