WWE SmackDown Power Rankings: Asuka Has Her Path To The Title
2. Shinsuke Nakamura
For Shinsuke Nakamura, the term “Perfect 10”, carries a different meaning than it does for Tye Dillinger. Nakamura needs to put down AJ Styles, whether it’s by a Kinsasha to the back of the head or something even more dastardly, for ten seconds in order to capture the WWE Championship. He’s missed opportunities against both Styles and Jinder Mahal to win that title, and the 2018 Royal Rumble is more desperate than ever to prove that he is the best wrestler on SmackDown Live.
This week, Nakamura took his frustrations out on Dillinger, who received a Kinsasha for the loss and another Kinsasha from Nakamura afterwards. The sole purpose of that second strike was for Nakamura to show to Styles that he can keep a man down for ten seconds, in case Styles didn’t get the message after last week’s brawl.
1. AJ Styles
Although Styles knows that Nakamura selected the “Last Man Standing” stipulation under the impression that the stip favors Shinsuke’s striking ability, The Phenomenal One isn’t phased. He’s taken everyone’s best shots ever since joining WWE, and he’s a two-time WWE Champion for a reason. Styles has defeated Dean Ambrose, John Cena, and Nakamura himself, and his current title reign has encompassed more than 200 days.
But even this title reign must come to an end, and Styles has to be going into Money in the Bank with all the pressure in the world. While Styles is fearless, Nakamura is desperate, and Nakmaura’s desperation could be the difference in a match that rewards heinous acts from heels creative (and morbid) enough to conjure them up.