Shinsuke Nakamura stuns LA Knight at WWE Survivor Series 2024 to win United States championship

Shinsuke Nakamura's shocking win over LA Knight ends Knight’s title reign, sparking questions

Shinsuke Nakamura delivered a shocking upset by defeating LA Knight to capture the United States Championship at WWE Survivor Series 2024 in Vancouver. The victory marked Nakamura’s third reign as U.S. Champion and abruptly ended Knight’s brief title run, which began at SummerSlam when he defeated Logan Paul.

Nakamura’s win was unexpected, especially given his sudden and unheralded return to SmackDown just weeks before the match. His comeback, highlighted by a surprise attack on Knight, set the stage for their feud, culminating in the Survivor Series clash. Despite Knight’s undefeated streak since June and his immense popularity, Nakamura’s decisive Kinshasa sealed the victory, leaving fans in disbelief.

The outcome has drawn mixed reactions. Nakamura, who has not been positioned as a top-tier competitor in recent years, delivered a solid performance, but the lack of a well-developed storyline leading into the match dampened its overall impact. Meanwhile, Knight’s reign as U.S. Champion, like Logan Paul’s before him, was seen as lackluster, with few significant moments to elevate his status.

Knight, once WWE’s hottest rising star and a top merchandise seller, has struggled to maintain momentum on SmackDown, where marquee storylines like The Bloodline dominate the spotlight. His loss at Survivor Series raises concerns about whether WWE is fully capitalizing on his popularity or if he is being sidelined in favor of other stars.

Nakamura’s win could indicate an attempt to re-establish him as a prominent competitor or reflect a lack of clear direction for Knight’s character. As WWE closes out 2024, the creative team faces the challenge of reinvigorating Knight with meaningful storylines while ensuring Nakamura’s victory contributes to a broader narrative. Fans are left questioning whether this marks a turning point for both wrestlers or a missed opportunity in WWE’s storytelling.