Backstage Update On The Rumors That Shinsuke Nakamura Is Leaving WWE

A rumor surfaced this week on social media, initially attributed to PWTorch’s Wade Keller, claiming that Shinsuke Nakamura was set to leave WWE soon. The rumor also suggested that his planned US Title rematch with LA Knight, initially scheduled for WrestleMania 41, was moved up to a recent episode of SmackDown. However, Fightful Select is reporting that WWE had no information to support the claim.

Dave Meltzer also addressed the rumor, stating that WWE had denied any truth to the speculation that Nakamura was leaving. When asked about whether Nakamura’s recent match on SmackDown would be his last, WWE had not yet responded to that question. As of now, Nakamura is still under contract with WWE. Meltzer stated,

“I am not sure what the Nakamura thing is other than he’s not being released from his contract, he’s still under contract, he’s still with the company.”

Nakamura, who had a limited presence on WWE TV in 2024 after being drafted to SmackDown, made a return in November to feud with LA Knight and won the US Title at Survivor Series. He lost the title back to Knight on the most recent SmackDown.

NOTE: If you have any news tips or podcast recaps that you’d like to send in for us to post (full credit will be given to you), please email me at [email protected].