Shinsuke Nakamura Defeats Samoa Joe to Win the NXT Championship (Video)

Samoa Joe’s title reign is cut short, as Shinsuke Nakamura recaptures the NXT Championship in his home country of Japan.

After a shocking, albeit decisive victory over Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT Takeover: Toronto on November 19, it seemed as though Samoa Joe’s time as the developmental brand’s top heel was far from over.

He became the first man ever to capture the coveted NXT Championship on two occasions, leading many to believe that speculation of his imminent departure to the main WWE roster would be fruitless, instead in favor of Nakamura, who would have little more to accomplish now that his run as champion had come to an end.

That was, however, until NXT hosted its December 3 live event in Osaka, Japan, where “The King of Strong Style” would reclaim his throne in an emphatic fashion, ousting the new champion to earn back the NXT Championship and join Samoa Joe on the short list of those with dual reigns with the NXT Title.

He would react to the news below.

This development has most certainly thrown a spanner in the works with regards to whom – if anybody – will benefit from a promotion to the live weekly schedule of Monday Night Raw or SmackDown Live in the coming months. It will also have fans scratching their heads due to the chaotic nature of NXT’s booking.

If you look at the short, yet powerful list of each past titleholder – Seth Rollins, Big E, Bo Dallas, Neville, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Finn Bálor, Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura – there’s a distinct pattern of excellence present. Each man on that list carried the gold with pride and contributed to NXT becoming known for its long-reigning champions, with a number of historic moments interspersed throughout.

Whether it was Neville kick-starting a record-setting title reign in the first ladder match in NXT history, Finn Bálor capturing the title on the WWE Network’s “Beast in the East” special event in Tokyo, or Samoa Joe’s shock victory over “The Demon” at an un-televised live event in Lowell, Massachusetts, there has always been meaning to the title, and more importantly, meaning to the champion.

As of this moment, it very much feels like NXT gifted Samoa Joe with the gold in Toronto just for the sake of Shinsuke Nakamura regaining it in his home country, which might fall a little flat with anybody who didn’t happen to be in attendance.

We are of course still in the early days of this new twist to the plot, so perhaps there is more to Nakamura’s crowning moment than would appear right now. What you can expect for sure, however, is rampant discussion on Samoa Joe, and whether or not this means the man will finally debut on the main roster before the year is out.

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