Over the weekend, rumors emerged online claiming that PWTorch’s Wade Keller had stated on a podcast that Shinsuke Nakamura was set to depart WWE within the near future, with Nakamura dropping the US Championship to LA Knight as a sort-of farewell. Nonetheless, these rumors were seemingly unfounded, with Keller being misquoted by social media users. Speaking on “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer shared what he has heard regarding Nakamura’s status and the weekend rumors.
“When that story first broke, I immediately asked WWE they usually immediately got back to me,” Meltzer said. “They didn’t say what Wade Keller said was false. What they said was false was that Nakamura was leaving.”
Nonetheless, there remains to be some uncertainty with the situation, as Meltzer attempted to make clear if the match against Knight was his final appearance with the corporate and WWE was desiring to “bench” him for the rest of his contract. Meltzer didn’t receive a reply. Much of the speculation surrounding Nakamura’s supposed departure was that it could allow him to return to Recent Japan Pro-Wrestling and participate in former rival Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement run.
“I do not know when his contract is up,” Meltzer said of Nakamura. “Would they permit him to go to Recent Japan for a one-shot? If it was Vince, I might say no. With these guys, I might say if he wants and pushes hard enough.”
Meltzer noted that WWE had previously allowed Nakamura to return to Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan to participate in The Great Muta’s retirement. Nonetheless, WWE and NOAH have a better relationship, while NJPW is related to rival promotion AEW, which could dissuade WWE from letting Nakamura perform there. At any rate, for now, Nakamura remains to be contracted with WWE and the promotion reportedly denied that they intended to release him.
In case you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Wrestling Observer Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
