Vince Russo, a former WWE head writer, shared his thoughts on Shinsuke Nakamura’s recent return to the company during an episode of his podcast, Writing with Russo. Nakamura’s return was marked by a surprise attack on LA Knight after his match on SmackDown, and Russo was perplexed by the move. According to Russo, the creative team behind WWE had no plans for Nakamura and inserted him into a feud with Knight as a makeshift storyline.
Russo expressed his confusion and frustration with the booking, stating that he didn’t understand the thought process behind the move. “Bro, did you see who attacked LA Knight after his match on SmackDown? Nakamura. I don’t get these guys. I don’t understand this booking,” he said. He continued, “I don’t know. Their booking is just… It’s just that there’s no plan. IT’s the wrestling industry as a whole. There’s just no plans anymore.”
Russo also pointed out that the feud between Nakamura and Knight seemed to be lacking direction, with no clear plan or storyline in place. He wondered how the writers would get out of the feud without making either star look weak.
Despite Russo’s skepticism, Nakamura’s match against Andrade on this week’s SmackDown ended with Nakamura emerging victorious, thanks to a vicious Kinshasa strike. After the match, LA Knight attempted to exact revenge, only to be blindsided by Nakamura’s sinister mist. The feud between the two wrestlers is set to continue, with Nakamura looking to capitalize on his momentum and potentially take down Knight at Survivor Series to reclaim the United States Championship.
Throughout his podcast, Russo’s criticism of WWE’s creative direction was palpable. He lamented the lack of planning and foresight that seemed to plague the company, leaving him and likely many fans scratching their heads. As the feud between Nakamura and Knight continues to unfold, fans will be eagerly watching to see if the creative team behind WWE can find a way to salvage the storyline and make it compelling.
Russo’s comments serve as a reminder that, despite the glamorous world of professional wrestling, the behind-the-scenes creative decisions can have a significant impact on the quality of the product. As the wrestling industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how WWE responds to Russo’s criticisms and whether they can find a way to regain the momentum that has been lost in recent months.
