5 Superstars we thought were going to leave WWE but are now champions

#2. Shinsuke Nakamura - Intercontinental Title

Shinsuke Nakamura is now Intercontinental Champion

Shinsuke Nakamura was another Superstar whose contract expiry was fast approaching and who was subject to several rumors that he'd be going back to New Japan Pro Wrestling or even joining AEW.

This was also, like most of the other Superstars on this list, fuelled by the fact that he hadn't really been given the opportunity to hit the heights that he had managed before joining WWE, leading to people thinking that Nakamura was being wasted.

It got to the point when Nakamura himself was having to address rumors of his imminent WWE departure, as we reported late last year!

Moving to the US was a big decision for my family. It's a long time thing. There's a rumor that Shinsuke Nakamura's contract expires and he's set for New Japan. New Japan hasn't made any contact with me.

But now Nakamura is the Intercontinental Champion after beating Finn Balor on the Extreme Rules pre-show, which makes it seem like Nakamura has decided to stay with WWE after all!