While overall creative direction in the WWE has improved under Triple H, there are still concerns in key areas. Such as the growing concern from some about the women’s division on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown. There’s another creative decision that’s raising eyebrows as well, and that’s Shinsuke Nakamura’s run as WWE United States Champion. It’s one of the more perplexing booking decisions as of late, and it frankly doesn’t make sense.
Before beginning to break this down, one thing must be said about Shinsuke Nakamura. He’s one of the best performers of his generation. This man is a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a five-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and holder of several other important titles throughout his career. He’s a legend in every sense of the word, deserving to be inducted into every Hall of Fame in wrestling.
Yet, WWE continues to fail him with every given opportunity. Other than his time in WWE NXT, Nakamura has yet to have any meaningful title reigns in the company. He has three championship reigns on the main roster that were more than 150 days and there’s nothing memorable about any of them. Nakamura shocked LA Knight at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30 and has defended the title only once since then. In fact, since winning that title, Nakamura has had two televised matches in WWE and took part in the 2025 Royal Rumble. That’s abysmal.
WWE must get the United States Championship off Shinsuke Nakamura
Keeping the title on Nakamura is doing both a disservice to him and the championship. This title is meant to be a midcard championship meant to elevate the men in that part of the division. Yet, it has been years since that happened. The last “meaningful” (and that’s a stretch) title run for the US Championship was Seth Rollins back in 2022.
Look at what the rebuilt Intercontinental Championship did for GUNTHER and is doing for Bron Breakker. The United States Championship should be used in the same way. SmackDown features talent like Carmelo Hayes, Andrade, Apollo Crews, Montez Ford, and several others who would benefit from holding such a title for a lengthy run. If WWE has nothing truly planned for Nakamura, as typically is the case, that championship needs to go to someone else.
WrestleMania 41 is a few weeks away, and Nakamura shouldn’t even be on the show. If he’s involved in a feud, that match is SmackDown-worthy at best, and that belt must go to someone else.