Shinsuke Nakamura Quickly Emerging as WWE's Next Big Mega Star

The "King of Strong Style" has a new WWE throne. 

Shinsuke Nakamura is the NXT champion, and it's a spot that was meant to be his from the moment he came to WWE. Nakamura's history in New Japan is well-known to many fans, and it's a history that's so much bigger than what he's doing right now. 

Nakamura is prepared for the bright lights of WWE's main roster, and that's where he's headed.

The company needs him, especially in this new day of the brand split. Both Raw and SmackDown Live are vying for popularity among the WWE faithful, and the only way to really make it work is to fill both programs with top talent.

The more stars there are, the more likely the programs are to succeed.

Veteran talents just know what they're doing; they're very aware of how the game is played, and they know how to get over. Even if the booking is less than stellar at times, the best workers always stand out and make the show worth watching. 

WWE needs much more of this if the current plan is going to work.

The good news for the company is that NXT has some names that are ready right now. Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Hideo Itami, and Austin Aries are all in NXT, and each man made his name before arriving in WWE. This is a collection of four top guys who are prepared to step onto the big stage and make an immediate impact in Vince McMahon's company.

But there is no bigger star in NXT than Nakamura.

He has massive charisma—charisma that sets him apart from everyone else in the NXT locker room. He's one part Jeff Hardy and one part Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. When he's on TV, fans have to watch him; it's nearly impossible to look away.

He exists on another level, and that is very intriguing for fans who would love to see something different in WWE.

In that regard he's also very similar to Finn Balor, because of his flair for the dramatic. Like Finn, Nakamura has made a career of bringing showtime flair to his character. Fans don't really watch Nakamura as much as they experience Nakamura—every time he's in the ring.

When he gets in the ring, he delivers every time.

This is perhaps the best part of Nakamura's game. His charisma and showmanship are extremely impressive and get him over, but it's his work that provides the backbone to his character. When the bell sounds, Nakamura takes that swagger and intensifies it like no one else can.

He's called The King of Strong Style with very good reason.

Nakamura's style would mesh with anyone in WWE because of his ring psychology. In an era where other guys are risking life and limb with high-flying acts, Nakamura keeps it on the mat. Instead of trying to pop the crowd with one daredevil stunt after another, he looks as though he's actually trying to win the match.

He treats his ring work like it's a movie shoot, and that's why it's effective.

Nakamura feels like the real deal because that's exactly what he is. He knows what he can do, and he does it better than anyone else around him. He's so focused on the task at hand, fans can actually buy into him as something other than just a sports entertainer.

Nakamura is a professional wrestler, and he's not in WWE to come in second.

This is why he will get over when he does eventually come to the main roster. It's also why he will excel far beyond anything other NXT talents before him have accomplished. If the booking is there, and if WWE commits to him the way he deserves, Nakamura should become the next big thing.

But this is not just a gimmick; this is something he's definitely capable of doing.

However the time is ticking for Nakamura. He's 36 years old and 14 years strong in the business. If WWE is to truly capitalize on his ability and potential to draw money, it must happen sooner rather than later. 

When it does happen, fans will bear witness to exactly what Nakamura can do when given the main event spotlight. His time is coming, and he will deliver as he always has.

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.