8 Superstars who could have signed with WWE earlier than they did

#7. Shinsuke Nakamura - signed with WWE in 2016

Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura has largely been considered a disappointing WWE signing, but from his perspective, it has likely been anything but that. Signed in 2016, Shinsuke Nakamura was perceived as one of WWE's greatest international signings.

His run with NXT was a big success, where he became the first-ever two-time NXT Champion. On the main roster, he became a Royal Rumble winner just nine months after his SmackDown debut. Nakamura even challenged for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34 (in a losing effort).

Given his relative downfall since then, people have easily forgotten how good his run with New Japan Pro Wrestling was. He is still the youngest-ever IWGP Heavyweight Champion (winning it at the age of 23) and had achieved everything there was to in the promotion.

He was always an elite-caliber talent and could have easily been signed years before. Thankfully, he stuck to his guns in New Japan Pro Wrestling and became a legend in the process.

Despite his disappointing WWE run, Shinsuke Nakamura is a Royal Rumble winner, a former two-time United States Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and a SmackDown Tag Team Champion. It's hard to call his run an unsuccessful one, even if he didn't become the main event star that everyone hoped he would be.