Report: Shinsuke Nakamura's Current WWE Role Is To Make New Stars

After spending the last couple of years in the mid-card, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared to be set for a renewed push on WWE TV in early January. The King Of Strong Style turned babyface on January 8 and defeated Rey Mysterio, King Corbin and Daniel Bryan in the Number One Contender's Gauntlet Match before being attacked by Roman Reigns. Many fans then got behind Nakamura again following the match and he was one of the favourites to win the Royal Rumble heading into the pay-per-view.   

Nakamura's push was only planned to be short term, though, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer. Cesaro was originally earmarked to run the gauntlet on January 8, but because he hadn't yet re-signed with the company, Shinsuke was added to the match as his replacement. 

Since Nakamura's strong performance was only because of a late switch, WWE doesn't plan to do much to follow up on the angle and Nakamura has been told his role is to make new stars.