10 WWE Storylines from 2018 that didn't get resolved

#2 The Viper and The King of Strong Style avoid each other

Why did Orton and Nakamura avoid each other?

When Shinsuke Nakamura won the United States Championship off Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules this year in six seconds, it was the start of several shocks in a matter of a few minutes. Not only did Randy Orton return after being away from the ring for a few months, he ended up giving Jeff Hardy a low blow for no apparent reason.

Two nights later on the 17th July episode of SmackDown, Hardy had appeared to have his match against Nakamura won, until Orton came out again and delivered one of the sickest attacks that we’ve seen for many years on the WWE. However, Orton didn’t appear to be finished, and was distinctly heard asking ‘Where is Shinsuke?’ afterwards.

Two weeks later on SmackDown, Nakamura returned the favour by attacking Hardy from behind, letting Orton pick the bones of the former United States Champion. Despite Orton making it clear why he was attacking Jeff, what he never made clear is why he showed mercy on Nakamura every single time he interrupted.

If you take into account that a villainous Orton doesn’t care who he attacks, it makes no sense why he has avoided any sort of conflict with Shinsuke at any point. Furthermore, considering that Nakamura is also holding a title which Orton also would love to try and win back again this year, it begs several unanswered questions.

These questions include: ‘What relationship does Orton have with Shinsuke? Why were they constantly helping each other? Is either wrestler afraid of each other?’

Unfortunately, the last few months has suggested that Orton’s new focus is now on Rey Mysterio, while Nakamura is fighting off the likes of Rusev and R-Truth bringing the very confusing relationship between the two wrestlers to a sudden halt.