A video package runs highlighting tonight’s Styles vs. Nakamura dream match.
WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We get introductions for the challenger Shinsuke Nakamura and champion AJ Styles.
The bell rings and here we go. Lock up. Series of counter attempts while locked up. Nakamura throwing kicks. Styles with a takedown. Nakamura with a big kick to the face of Styles. Styles slaps Nakamura. Nakamura fires back with elbows. Nakamura catches Styles with a kick to the face and drops a quick knee to the face. Nakamura with knees. Styles catches Nakamura with a big knee to the face. Styles with a snap suplex for a two count. Nakamura with elbows, but Styles cuts him off with a backbreaker. Styles with kicks to the back of Nakamura. Styles with a snapmare and more kicks to the back. Styles drops a quick knee over Nakamura and goes for a cover that results in a two count.
Styles catches Nakamura with a big dropkick. Nakamura rolls to the outside. Nakamura trips up Styles on the ring apron sending him shoulder and face first into the apron. Back inside, Nakamura catches Styles with a kick to the face jumping off the corner. Both men are down. Nakamura with his “COME ON” taunt at Styles. Nakamura with body shots. Nakamura props Styles up on the top turnbuckle and connects with his high knee. Nakamura drops Styles down face first on the mat and attempts a reverse exploder. Styles counters out. Styles with a jumping forearm that catches Nakamura flush. Styles with a gutbuster on Nakamura. Styles goes for a cover and Nakamura kicks out.
Nakamura drops Styles with a Landslide Driver for a close two count. Nakamura breaks up a powerbomb attempt by Styles. Styles chops the knee of Nakamura with a swift kick. Styles rolls through and gets the Calf Crusher locked in. Nakamura is trying to get to the ropes. Styles rolls through and gets it locked back in. Nakamura counters into a triangle choke. Styles fights to his feet and out of the submission. Styles with plants Nakamura over the mat to break it up. Styles is favoring his back. Nakamura catches Styles with a kick to the head. Nakamura with a charge. Styles moves and Nakamura hits his knee on the turnbuckle. Styles connects with a springboard Phenomenal Forearm.
Styles covers Nakamura. Nakamura kicks out. Styles with a springboard 450 splash attempt, but Nakamura gets his knees up. Nakamura rolls up Styles and Styles barely kicks out after the two count. Nakamura and Styles exchange big shots. Styles catches Nakamura with a Pele Kick. Nakamura with a knee to the back of Styles’ head. Styles kicks out. Nakamura with an overhead exploder on Styles. Nakamura is firing up in the corner. Nakamura charges, Styles counters with a roll through and hits the Styles Clash. Styles rolls Nakamura over on his shoulders. Styles gets the pinfall victory.
Winner and still WWE Champion: AJ Styles
After the match, AJ Styles hugs a very tired Shinsuke Nakamura on the mat. Nakamura grabs the WWE Championship, gets on his knee and hands it to Styles. Nakamura then gives Styles a low blow! Huge reaction in the Superdome to see. Nakamura then starts to choke Styles with his boot and kicks him out of the ring. Styles is up on his knees on the floor. Nakamura with a Kinshasa right to the face of Styles at ringside.
Pretty good match between Styles and Nakamura, was starting to get some heavy CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vibes from 28 with how quiet the crowd was getting, they definitely won them back, however it's pretty clear why they didn't close the night with this match #WrestleMania
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) April 9, 2018
A PHENOMENAL effort by @AJStylesOrg…
The #StylesClash means that he is STILL your @WWE Champion at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/9vCtwPYwxA
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/wrestleview/status/983181190130814976
WHY, @ShinsukeN, WHY?! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/D0TVqqfEzt
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018