Shinsuke Nakamura has been competing in dark matches against Dolph Ziggler ever since he was called up from NXT to the main roster to work on the SmackDown Live brand. Nakamura has picked up the pinfall victory each time against Ziggler via the Kinshasa.
Dave Meltzer noted in The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE believes Nakamura is a strong enough draw that he will keep the crowd from leaving the arena following SmackDown and before 205 Live. Before Nakamura was called up, John Cena played the dark match main event role to keep the crowd around for 205 Live, and that role is now being filled by Nakamura.
WWE currently views Nakamura as one of Smackdown Live’s key babyfaces, and it’s expected that he will remain in that position moving forward.
