Nakamura & Styles Go Nuts!

WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match

AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

The match that was supposed to steal the show at WrestleMania 34 (but didn’t) has turned into a whole dang feud. Like most fans I was disappointed in their Mania match but watching the evolution of heel Nakamura push AJ’s buttons while AJ struggles to maintain his composure against his former friend has been so very entertaining!

Of course, we’re all wondering who will walk away with the title, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I was also concerned with the state of their nether regions post-match too.

The Road to Money in the Bank

The build to WrestleMania 34 was a friendly one. Two buddies from New Japan finally facing off in a WWE ring. After a fine, but slightly underwhelming match, AJ won. Trying to be the gentleman AJ helped his friend up and hugged him in the ring. Sneaky, sneaky Nakamura handed AJ the belt on his knees, seemingly conceding to his friend, but then hit Styles with a nasty low blow.

And the era of heel Shinsuke Nakamura (with a boss new theme) in WWE began.

Renee Young tried to get answers out of Nakamura – why had he turned on his long-time pal? But conveniently, Nakamura forgot how to speak English.

Following the low blow heard round the world, Nakamura and Styles set down a path of mutually assured dong destruction.

On SmackDown, at The Greatest Royal Rumble, before Backlash, at Backlash…basically anywhere these two met one of them got punched in the genitals. Mostly AJ.

Which sounds really dumb but was actually a weirdly effective way to build this feud.

What is more of a heel move than continuously punching your former friend in the junk? Nothing. Especially, since we know that these men are incredible wrestlers. Their matches have been good, but always cut short by a low blow.

Another good heel move for Nakamura – constantly destroying the dream match.

Eventually SmackDown Live GM Paige decreed that at MITB there must be a winner. After a “name the stipulation match” – that Nakamura won by pretending to have been low blowed – Nakamura aptly chose a “Last Man Standing” match.

What’s at stake?

I’m not sure how many more non-offensive, creative ways I can say that the health of their junk is at stake!

But seriously, AJ has held the title as a baby face for quite some time. He has been an effective champ and has really set a positive tone for the blue brand. SmackDown really is the house that AJ Styles built.

If Nakamura wins the match and becomes the champ the whole tone of SmackDown Live will change. AJ’s house will become Nakamura’s kingdom.

Perhaps that’s a good thing. Until this feud with Styles, Nakamura’s time on the main roster has felt a little stilted - a little held back. Finally giving him the belt will make him the top guy we all expected him to be.

But one thing’s for sure, if Nakamura wins the sales of protective cups will sky rocket.