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Originally Posted by Ultra Mantis
I only know what he's up to through reading reports so I have no idea about his on screen presentation. From what I gather he seems to be treated as just another undercard guy.
Nakamura is a strange case though, he reportedly left Japan because he got moved down the card out of the main event and didn't want to end up like the previous generation who are now working the undercard and can still have great matches but only beat each other or the young lions. He's obviously not in a great position where he is currently, but going back to Japan it's unlikely they are going to push him ahead of Okada, Naito, Ibushi, White or even guys like SANADA, Zack Sabre Jr or Ospreay. He would likely have a more prominent role in AEW since they need more top of the card guys there, but who really knows, he might just not care anymore. On the surface he seems more interested in surfing than wrestling,
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Surfer Shin vs. Biker Shin only.
It was the time to make a go of it a few years ago. It's a few years on though, so I don't think him returning to the IC Title scene, for example, in New Japan is exactly a knock down. He can be treated as the living legend he is and be in that top mix with Tanahashi, Okada, Naito and Ibushi. I don't see why he'd need to be pushed more than them at this stage of his career, you know?
I wouldn't complain if Nakamura ended up in AEW either, don't get me wrong. If he is Cody's opponent at Double or Nothing, I will mark out. But I just get this weird vibe that WWE would be doing more with him if he either a) re-signed, or b) they had hopes he would. And I think if he were going to AEW, we'd see him wearing cheese on his head or something, or maybe even taken off the road.
Either way, if he leaves WWE, I'd be shocked if he didn't work dates in New Japan at some point.