Shinsuke Nakamura continues his calculated approach as United States Champion, making his presence felt through strategic observations backstage on SmackDown. During a conversation between Cody Rhodes and The Miz, Nakamura was spotted in the background, carefully studying the interaction.
This marks Nakamura’s second consecutive week of surveillance on SmackDown. Last week, he was similarly observed in the background during Jimmy Uso’s pre-match promo, suggesting a pattern of strategic reconnaissance by the United States Champion.
Nakamura captured the United States Championship from LA Knight at Survivor Series: WarGames, following a period of absence from WWE television through much of 2024. His year began with a feud against Cody Rhodes and concluded with his championship victory.
The Miz se encuentra con Cody Rhodes… e intenta hacer la gran Karrion Kross. Y si Jey Uso le elige. Y si pasa cómo ha ocurrido con Kevin Owens y Sami Zayn. Y que ahora es Jey el que debe de terminar su historia.
— LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) February 8, 2025
Mientras Shinsuke Nakamura mira de fondo. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/0x3BTqzLfp
Seth Rollins Picks Cody Rhodes as Dream Opponent for WrestleMania 41
Seth Rollins discussed his ideal WrestleMania 41 scenario during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
In a perfect world, I’m challenging for one of the world championships. Whether that’s Gunther or Cody Rhodes…I personally would love to get into the Elimination Chamber. I got a qualifying match coming up here in a couple weeks on Monday Night Raw on Netflix. Get into the Chamber, stomp CM Punk’s head into the mat, eliminate everybody in that chamber, John Cena included, go to WrestleMania, and my dream opponent is Cody Rhodes for that title.
Rollins will face Finn Balor in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match on an upcoming episode of Raw.