Shinsuke Nakamura Officially Signs Contract with WWE NXT

One of the hottest free agents in professional wrestling has officially signed with WWE, as the organization announced Sunday that Japanese star Shinsuke Nakamura has signed a deal with NXT:  

“Talent is the lifeblood of our company, and the signing of Shinsuke Nakamura further demonstrates NXT’s commitment to bringing in the best talent from all over the world," said WWE chief operating officer Triple H in a statement, per WWE.com. “His explosive style will make an immediate impact to an already dynamic NXT men’s division.”  

Nakamura becomes the second big free-agent signing for WWE in less than a month. AJ Styles debuted in January in this year's Royal Rumble match.

While Nakamura is another big signing for WWE, this is also another major Japanese signing for the company. Asuka signed her NXT deal in September and was immediately pushed into a rivalry with Emma that culminated at NXT TakeOver: London.

WWE's chief brand officer, Stephanie McMahon, revealed Nakamura will debut at NXT TakeOver in Dallas on April 1:

Nakamura signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002. During his time with the company, he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship three times and the IWGP Intercontinental title five times.

When he enters NXT, it will be somewhat familiar territory for Nakamura. He's had bouts in Japan with some of NXT's top stars—most notably NXT champion Finn Balor when he was wrestling under the name Prince Devitt—as well as some recent bouts with Styles. Kevin Owens and Hideo Itami have also worked with Nakamura before.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross thinks that the Nakamura signing could be as important as when WWE signed two of today's biggest stars:  

The 35-year-old Nakamura has unique athletic ability and the charisma to excite a crowd. He is a mixture of a brawler and an athletic high-flyer who will be an interesting addition to NXT. His battles with Balor were some of the best matches New Japan had on its card, and they can recreate that magic at NXT if booked properly.

Former WWE commentator Joey Styles sees big things in Nakamura's future:

"

I believe @ShinsukeN has the in-ring skills, and more importantly, charisma to be the first Japanese @WWE Champion. https://t.co/Gkt3kvb8fs

— Joey Styles (@JoeyStyles) February 22, 2016"

Officially signing Nakamura is another huge win for Triple H and NXT. Nakamura is a unique talent who has some familiarity with some of the fastest-rising stars in the company today, and he could be a natural fit with the chance to rise to the top quickly.

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