WWE Championship (No Disqualification) -- AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ends in a draw
For the second straight week, WWE presented a PPV in which the WWE championship wasn't contested in the main event. Even worse, both times it ended without a clean finish. Styles and Nakamura, whose WWE feud was received as nothing short of a dream for fans who watched them compete in Japan, certainly deserved better by both the placement and unsatisfying finish. At the very least, WWE appears to be building toward what one can only hope is a strong conclusion as Styles and Nakamura bested their initial WrestleMania clash for the second straight week in a physical and intense match.
The in-ring styles of both were properly represented in this one as an angry Styles dominated the early going by moving at a quick pace. Nakamura then showcased his "strong style" with a long and deliberate beating. Yet despite the no-DQ stipulation, the only foreign object used was a chair, which Styles used to accidentally cut open his left cheek after he threw it at Nakamura's knee to block a Kinsasha (causing it to deflect into his face). The theme of Nakamura constantly targeting low blows on Styles was once again the centerpiece. Depending upon your viewpoint, it came across as either comedic or disrespectful for the skills and standing of both. Nakamura countered a Pele kick late with a punch to the groin, but Styles gained instant retribution by landing one of his own. After a count was administered, both reached their feet. The finish came shortly after when both landed kicks to the crotch simultaneously and neither was able to beat the 10 count by getting off the canvas. Considering the double countout finish one week earlier, the ending fell flat in what had been a strong match.
For the second straight week, WWE presented a PPV in which the WWE championship wasn't contested in the main event. Even worse, both times it ended without a clean finish. Styles and Nakamura, whose WWE feud was received as nothing short of a dream for fans who watched them compete in Japan, certainly deserved better by both the placement and unsatisfying finish. At the very least, WWE appears to be building toward what one can only hope is a strong conclusion as Styles and Nakamura bested their initial WrestleMania clash for the second straight week in a physical and intense match.
The in-ring styles of both were properly represented in this one as an angry Styles dominated the early going by moving at a quick pace. Nakamura then showcased his "strong style" with a long and deliberate beating. Yet despite the no-DQ stipulation, the only foreign object used was a chair, which Styles used to accidentally cut open his left cheek after he threw it at Nakamura's knee to block a Kinsasha (causing it to deflect into his face). The theme of Nakamura constantly targeting low blows on Styles was once again the centerpiece. Depending upon your viewpoint, it came across as either comedic or disrespectful for the skills and standing of both. Nakamura countered a Pele kick late with a punch to the groin, but Styles gained instant retribution by landing one of his own. After a count was administered, both reached their feet. The finish came shortly after when both landed kicks to the crotch simultaneously and neither was able to beat the 10 count by getting off the canvas. Considering the double countout finish one week earlier, the ending fell flat in what had been a strong match.
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