Shinsuke Nakamura Cleared For WWE In-Ring Return

A former WWE Royal Rumble winner has been cleared for an in-ring return ahead of the January 29 pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri.

Shinsuke Nakamura revealed on his Instagram Stories today he has been cleared to "fight", posing with an x-ray of his healed hand.

The King Of Strong Style had previously been out of action with a hand injury, last competing on a December 18 WWE house show alongside Rick Boogs against Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss. Nakamura last performed on TV on the December 10 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, facing Angel and Humberto of Los Lotharios in tag team action.

Nakamura is currently the Intercontinental Champion but his 168-day reign has been somewhat of a dud, with the 41-year-old having only defended the gold once all the way back in September of 2021 against Apollo Crews.

Upon Nakamura's return, he is expected to defend the gold against Sami Zayn, following The Great Liberator's win in a number one contender's gauntlet in December.

If Nakamura will be in the Royal Rumble has yet to be revealed. He previously won the Men's Rumble in 2018.