Despite recent suggestions that his own retirement “might not be far off,” WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura has revealed historic ambitions. With the WWE World Heavyweight Championship currently vacant following an injury to Seth Rollins, Nakamura has expressed his desire to capture the title, framing it as a crucial mission in his career.
Speaking in a recent interview with Tokyo Sports, the Japanese star made his intentions clear, focusing squarely on the World Heavyweight Championship. He emphasized the importance of this goal, particularly in terms of representation for Japanese and Asian wrestlers on a major American stage.
“That’s what I’m doing because I believe in it. That is the World Heavyweight Championship. I hope I can achieve that,” Nakamura stated, according to a Google translation of the interview. “I think that’s the one thing that Japanese people, especially men, have yet to break through on this American stage.”
A new champion is set to be crowned when CM Punk faces Jey Uso at the Saturday Night’s Main Event special on November 1, and Nakamura appears ready to challenge whoever emerges victorious.
Nakamura wants to set the WWE path for future Japanese stars
Nakamura reflected on the significance of potentially achieving this milestone, both personally and for future generations. A title win for him would make him the first Japanese-born world champion in WWE history.
“I don’t know if it’s proof, but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I couldn’t do it,” he continued. “I hope I can leave behind some kind of path, some kind of hope, for the next generation of Japanese and Asian people.”
These ambitious statements come after Nakamura previously hinted that his retirement might be approaching, adding an interesting layer to his current motivations. Since signing with WWE in early 2016, Nakamura has built an impressive resume, capturing the NXT Championship, the Intercontinental Championship multiple times, and the United States Championship on multiple occasions.
He also held the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship alongside Cesaro (now Claudio Castagnoli in AEW). The World Heavyweight Championship, however, remains one major title that has eluded him during his WWE tenure.
While his path to the title picture isn’t immediately clear, Nakamura has been positioned in significant programs in the past. It was previously reported that a planned Intercontinental Championship defense for GUNTHER against Nakamura at WWE Clash at the Castle in 2022 was considered, showcasing the company’s recognition of his main event potential.
