Shinsuke Nakamura on AJ Styles, Adjustments, Wrestlemania, & Bryan

The New York Post held a recent interview with Shinsuke Nakamura discussing AJ Styles, adjusting to WWE’s wrestling restrictions, the importance of his Wrestlemania match, and the importance of Daniel Bryan for his WWE career.

On the topic of facing off against AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 34, Nakamura stated he feels the match will be amazing for both WWE history and for his own personal enjoyment.

“It’s an amazing thing for WWE history I think. We crossed over, we crossed the border line in Japan and the States, different company and that’s why I say this is destiny.

Actually I don’t care about the ratings, five stars, six stars, seven stars, whatever. But I really want to enjoy this match. I want to do everything I can do. I want to take everything he can do.”

On the topic of adjusting to WWE’s style of wrestling, Nakamura stated the toughest part was adjusting to WWE’s time restrictions for live matches since he had a lot more leeway during his career in Japan. He also mentioned of finally starting to feel comfortable performing within WWE’s restrictions and style of wrestling in general.

“We didn’t need to care about the time. WWE time-wise is so strict.

When he [AJ Styles] was in Japan, he needed to adjust, but now he doesn’t need to. For me, this took time to adjust, but now I feel comfortable with the WWE. At WrestleMania I can show my 100 percent or more.”

On the topic of the importance of his WWE Championship match at Wrestlemania 34, Nakamura stated he considers the match to be one of the biggest moments in Japanese wrestling history.

“It’s probably the biggest thing for the Japanese wrestling history.”

On the topic of connecting with crowds despite the language barrier, Nakamura stated he does not feel his lack of English is a barrier and instead believes there are multiple ways to connect with crowds.

“I think a wrestler can say something from fighting, from wrestling. I’m not like an English speaker so I have confidence in my wrestling skills, also like body language, hand gestures, facial expressions. I put all of my emotion in my wrestling. That’s why maybe people can feel [a connection].”

On the topic of Daniel Bryan, Nakamura revealed Bryan played a major role in his decision to join the WWE and was shocked to learn Bryan retired shortly after he arrived. He also considers a match against Daniel Bryan to be his next dream match in the WWE.

“So, I join the WWE and soon he needed to quit. That was shock to me. Huge shock.

Next dream match for me.”