'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAjqn/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAFf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAfEAACAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABBESBVETFTH/2gAIAQEAAT8AbivV2rwyGCZbxNX3iDa4IAK9MM/RVhMEsbdCHJWNRnyHqv/EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQR/9oACAECAQE/AKbyTP/EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAzH/2gAIAQMBAT8AtiP/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Since winning the US title from Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules, Shinsuke Nakamura has done very little of note as the United States champion.
After wrapping up his feud with Hardy at SummerSlam, Nakamura has had a very, very small feud with Tye Dillinger and has not really been on television other than that.
Nakamura has tons of potential as the US champion and the WWE really need to start taking advantage of that. With the former NJPW star's contract running out at the start of 2019, the WWE may need to give him something relevant to do if they want to retain his services.
With that in mind, let's take a look at five superstars who could potentially challenge Shinsuke Nakamura, and give him first worthwhile feud as US champion.
Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.
#6: R-Truth
Okay, so R-Truth may not be the most relevant performer in the WWE these days, but the former TNA star has been experiencing a bit of a career renaissance in recent weeks thanks to his unlikely partnership with Carmella.
Truth has shown in recent matches against The Miz that he still has what it takes to compete in the WWE, and he could really help get Nakamura over as a heel, given his popularity with the crowd.
Truth's current momentum is not likely to last long, but he has shown that whenever he is given a push, he is capable of running with it, and he may be just what Nakamura needs to help kickstart his US title reign.
#5: Tye Dillinger
A few weeks ago it looked as though the WWE was going to push Dillinger into the US title picture when he called out Nakamura on Twitter.
The two men did meet on an episode of SmackDown, but the match was called to a halt when Dillinger was savagely beaten by Randy Orton, which has presumably changed the course of his narrative.
Dillinger has been floating around in obscurity ever since his debut, which is unfortunate given how popular he proved to be down in NXT.
Like R-Truth, Dillinger could really help establish Nakamura as one of the biggest heels on SmackDown, and would also help get some great matches out of the champion from an in-ring standpoint.
Fans have been desperate to see the WWE do something of note with Dillinger ever since he made his debut in 2017, and if they don't decide to follow through on his feud with Randy Orton, then this could be perfect for him.
#4: Andrade 'Cien' Almas
Vince McMahon has reportedly been very impressed with what he has seen from Andrade 'Cien' Almas so far, and if that is the case, then you can expect him to receive a big push in the coming months.
While there are some fans who would love to see Almas get a rocket strapped to his back and go after the WWE title straight away, a little bit of patience and a run with the US title belt will benefit him more in the long run.
Booking a heel vs heel feud may prove to be a little difficult, but given the fact that Nakamura has been booked as something of a lone-wolf so far during his heel run, the two men could definitely make this work.
#3: Samoa Joe
One of the biggest questions coming out of WWE's Super Show-Down event in Australia was surrounding the future for Samoa Joe.
Joe has been on a role in recent months, following his second successive defeat to AJ Styles, it seems highly unlikely that he will be sniffing around the WWE title picture again anytime soon.
Nakamura rebounded from his defeat at the hands of AJ Styles by instantly entering the United States title picture, and with no other top level faces on the brand left for Joe to face off against, that may well be the best option for him as well.
As with Almas, booking a heel vs heel feud could be difficult, but both men's characters rely on them being driven by glory, as opposed to any other sort of motive, so there's no doubt that the WWE could make this work.
#2: Rusev
Rusev is one of the most popular superstars in the WWE, and while he may be currently entangled in a bit of a love triangle storyline with Aiden English and Lana, a run with the US title would certainly help re-establish him as one of the top stars on Tuesday nights.
Rusev's popularity since the debut of his Rusev Day gimmick has stood the test of time, and now that he is a fully fledged face once again, a run with the mid-card belt couldn't come at a better time.
Rusev's previous runs with the US title belt have been the highlights of his career and have also been some of the most memorable US title runs in recent memory. While Nakamura is a big name, his run with the belt has not done the title itself any favours, and a returning the strap to Rusev's waist could help elevate it once again.
#1: Randy Orton
Randy Orton's recent heel turn has helped make him one of the most relevant superstars on SmackDown once again.
His recent attacks on Jeff Hardy and Tye Dillinger have felt like a throwback to the days of Orton as the company's best heel, and his lack of real motives make him one of the most unpredictable characters on the WWE roster.
The WWE has teased this match several times over the last few weeks, with Orton constantly interfering in Nakamura's matches and attacking his opponents. While this could lead to a partnership between the two men, it makes more sense if Orton ends up taking out Nakamura and coming after his title belt.
