Fan Favorite WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura Makes Surprising Return on SmackDown

On the Nov. 15 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, fans were treated to the return of a fan-favorite WWE Superstar and international wrestling icon.

LA Knight had successfully defended the WWE United States Championship against Humberto Carrillo of Legado Del Phantasmo.

While he was celebrating the win, LA Knight was surprisingly attacked by a returning Shinsuke Nakamura, although he looked completely different than before.

Instead of his classic red and black jumpsuit and flamboyant persona, Nakamura was dressed all in black with his hair hanging in front of his face, and was addressed by announcer Corey Graves as the “Wayward Samurai.”

Fightful Select noted that his “return had been planned for a number of weeks. He was not listed on internal rundowns, but was on the script.”

Nakamura’s last televised match was on Monday Night Raw back in April in a loss to Sheamus.

The last time Nakamura wrestled with WWE was at a house match on Oct. 16, 2024, in Manchester, England. In that match, he had lost to LA Knight in an attempt to win the US Championship.

Nakamura made his professional wrestling debut with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2002 with the nickname “Super Rookie,” developing a style focused on mixed martial arts and vale tudo.

By 2003, Nakamura had won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, NJPW’s top title.

Nakamura would continue to be a popular star within NJPW, but surprisingly turned into a villain and became the King of Strong Style, further emphasizing his MMA background.

Nakamura would remain a top figure in NJPW until 2016. In that time, he was a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a five-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion. He has held the latter championship longer than anyone else.

More WWE: Becky Lynch to Return for Massive WWE Milestone: Report

Nakamura then found his way to WWE, making his debut on the developmental NXT brand on April 1, 2016. By August, he had become the NXT Champion.

After a little over a year, Nakamura moved up to the main roster and would go on to win the 2018 Royal Rumble. However, he would lose to AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34.

Over the rest of his run at WWE, Nakamura would become a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, a two-time US Champion, and a one time WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champion.

Now, it looks like he wants to add another US Championship to his impressive resume.

More WWE: Kurt Angle Says WWE Wrestler’s Recent Release ‘Sucks’

For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.