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Shinsuke Nakamura has not had the best of first years in the WWE. His initial few matches really failed to live up to expectations, and his brief unbeaten streak was brought to an unceremonious end at the hands of Jinder Mahal last summer.
The WWE has decided to invest in Shinsuke as a main event player this year though, as is evident from his recent success in the Royal Rumble, and his upcoming Mania match with AJ Styles.
While Styles is an excellent champion, most fans would agree that Shinsuke needs to win the big one at Mania to really solidify his role as one of the main faces of the company going forward.
If Shinsuke does beat AJ, then the company need to select the right opponents for him for when he is the champion. A big issue with his current run has been that creative have lumbered him with weak feuds, and opponents who really can't help get the best out of him in the ring. So it is essential that they get this right after Mania.
Let's take a look at five great choices for Nakamura's first feuds after Wrestlemania 34.
#5: Randy Orton
While Shinsuke Nakamura has a plethora of incredible matches under his belt, he has had very few stand out bouts on the WWE main roster. His run in NXT saw him produce several classics for the brand, but he has not managed to reach those heights in the WWE yet.
One of Shinsuke's more notable outings was his match with Randy Orton on Smackdown back in September of last year. Shinsuke was the victor on that day, but the two have shared a lot of time in the ring since, forming a brief alliance at the end of 2017.
This alliance could be brought back into play after Mania, and could finally lead to a long-awaited heel turn for Randy Orton. A heel Orton Vs Shinsuke program could produce some excellent matches, and Orton would be a great first feud to cement Shinsuke as the number 1 guy on Smackdown.
#4: Finn Balor
Whether we like it or not, Finn Balor is not going to be getting a push on Monday nights anytime soon. Balor is destined to perform in the upper mid-card on Raw, and a move to Smackdown in the Superstar Shakeup after Mania makes a lot of sense for the former NXT Champion.
Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura are two of the biggest stars in recent NJPW history, and the WWE would be smart to cash in on that. If Balor and The Club were to turn heel and jump to Tuesday nights, they could feud with the likes of Nakamura and Styles, then we might finally see Smackdown come out of its current slump.
Balor and Nakamura have met several times in the past, and the duo put on some great matches in NXT, but they have never shared a ring on the main roster. This should be on the WWE's list of matches that need to happen in 2018.
#3: Lashley
While the WWE has still not officially announced this, Lashley is definitely going to be returning to the WWE after Wrestlemania. The former US champion has been rumored to be feuding with Brock Lesnar in what many fans consider to be a dream match-up. However, if Lesnar leaves, as many expect he will, then a feud with Shinsuke could be the perfect way to introduce Lashley back to the WWE universe.
Lashley is a much different competitor to the one who left the WWE a decade ago, and he is more than capable of helping Shinsuke return to the form that made him an international star.
Lashley, now 41, is probably not likely to be crowned WWE champion anytime soon, so having him put over Shinsuke in an extended feud may be the best way to use him.
#2: Dolph Ziggler
Of all the men on this list, Dolph Ziggler is the only one who Shinsuke has had a feud with on the main roster. Ziggler was Shinsuke's first opponent in the WWE, taking on the King of Strong Style at last year's Backlash event.
The match was met with a mixed response from fans and critics alike, and a lot of fans would likely not want to see the two feud again.
However, a lot has changed since then. Firstly, the match would be a main event, and as a result, would be given much more time. Secondly, Ziggler has reportedly signed a contract which will see him become one of the biggest earners on the roster. If that is true, then you can expect him to be receiving a significant push later in the year.
The two men are two of the most talented performers on the Smackdown roster, and it seems unlikely that they wouldn't be able to pull off a great feud if given the right amount of time.
#1: Samoa Joe
Like Finn Balor, Samoa Joe could easily make a switch to Smackdown after Wrestlemania, reigniting an old rivalry in the process.
Joe and Nakamura put on some classic matches in NXT, and while Joe may appear to fit in alongside the likes of Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns on Raw, he would excel even more if he were to share a brand with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles.
After a face vs face match at Wrestlemania, Nakamura will be in need of a great heel to defend his title against, and there are very few more natural heels in the WWE than Samoa Joe. Seeing these two collide on the main roster would be quite the spectacle, so let's hope the WWE pull the trigger on this at some point this year.
