WWE SmackDown Buy Or Sell: Jeff Hardy Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
By Josh Raibick
As we approach WWE Extreme Rules 2018, it appears as if we might get a dream feud straight out of a WWE 2k video game between Jeff Hardy and Shinsuke Nakamura. On paper this is a no-brainer fiver star feud, but there also might be reasons for concern.
Since some members of the WWE Universe don’t believe this can even be a debate, let’s start with the reasons why this feud might not live up to expectations. The glaring hole is the inability for either superstar to carry the story portion of the feud on the mic.
Credit does go to Hardy for improving his promos since his last major run in WWE, but the Charismatic Enigma’s promo style is far from that of The Miz. The concern is that both superstars will have short dialogue and have to rely mainly on action to tell a story.
The other concern is that the feud started with a match on WWE SmackDown Live a couple weeks ago. A major issue with follow up matches later on in a feud is that fans’ anticipation takes a hit when it comes to short-term rematches.
We saw this be the case in the Nakamura vs. AJ Styles feud, as their most anticipated match was at WWE WrestleMania 34. While that match was not the best match of the feud, it hurt fans’ anticipation for the rematches because the WWE Universe already knew what it looked like to have those two superstars in the ring together so recently.
This is not to say that WWE must eliminate all rematches, but it is questionable at best to start a feud with main event caliber superstars in a one on one match. Yes, there was not a clear finish in the Nakamura vs. Hardy match on SmackDown Live, but the result was the only component missing from the match.
Professional wrestling is not MMA or boxing where the final result is the biggest factor, it is match quality. Proof is a great match like Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25, wasn’t remembered for Undertaker winning, but in fact was one of the best matches in WrestleMania history.
That is why giving away the mystique of a match is so troubling, we now know what it looks like to see Hardy and Nakamura one on one in a ring together. Yet, even with a bit of the mystique gone there is a lot to like about The King of Strong Style vs. The Legend Thriller.
This past week on SmackDown Live, the WWE Universe got to see the return of Hardy’s face paint. Could this mean that the face paint is here to stay for the Charismatic Enigma?
Another positive factor in this feud is both superstar’s silent charisma. Nakamura and Hardy do not need a microphone to elicit a response, because when both superstars make their way to the ring there is an electricity that only those two could pull off.
Add in that Nakamura’s hard striking compliments Hardy’s graceful flow, and you would think that these two were destined for each other. While there is always a small bit of concern with any feud being damaged creatively, this feud feels too big to fail, and for that reason I am BUYING Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
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There are always going to be what ifs when it comes to WWE dream matches, but in this case we are going to get a dream feud between two one of a kind superstars. At the end of the day this is a match for the die hard fans, so just sit back and enjoy.