WWE SmackDown Power Rankings: Daniel Bryan Makes It All Look Good

2. Shinsuke Nakamura

I enjoyed Shinsuke Nakamura’s match against Jeff Hardy this week, and Nakamura did a great job of making it seem like the United States Champion had a chance of knocking him off. There are worries in the WWE Universe that Nakamura will once again lose to Styles, and while I don’t see that happening, I’m honestly not as scared as everyone else is.

And that’s because I don’t think Nakamura is screwed if he loses another title match. Sure, it isn’t ideal. Sure, he should be winning this match. But you know what? How many heels are producing more engaging work than Nakamura right now? Remember when people wondered if Nakamura would ever click in the WWE? Remember when people wondered why he was failing to connect?

Well, Shinsuke is connecting with the audience much in the same way his Kinsasha knee strike connects to the unprotected heads of his opponents. He’s ready to be a champion, but even if WWE drops the ball and goes in a different direction, he’ll be fine. Just trust me on that one.

Next: NXT TakeOver Chicago II Predictions

1. AJ Styles, WWE Champion

Can AJ Styles just slap Shinsuke Nakamura every time he sees him? Also, a Joe vs. Styles feud is something I need at some point in 2018. Until then, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of Styles’s Last Man Standing match against Nakamura on Sunday.