The latest reinvention of Shinsuke Nakamura began with a bang. With new entrance music and a shinobi-inspired samurai gimmick, it felt like Triple H had finally unlocked Nakamura. Right away, he was given a WWE premium live event slot and a shock victory over LA Knight to win the United States Championship.
However, since then, the story has been put on the back burner, with Nakamura becoming a relative non-entity in the grand scheme of things. Fans were clamoring for a change in the SmackDown midcard scene and got their wish on the post-Elimination Chamber show, with Knight winning back his title in a hotly contested main event.
LA Knight’s Win Leaves Fans Ecstatic
A title change on a live TV show always draws a massive reaction because it’s unexpected. But during his 97-day title reign, Nakamura failed to impress, with no real progression or storyline accompanying his run as champion.
With Knight getting the title back, it puts a bigger spotlight on the championship. Right away, fans took to X to celebrate the win, both for its brilliance and for ending Nakamura’s reign.
“LA KNIGHT HAS DONE IT. LA KNIGHT IS THE NEW US CHAMP. ONE OF THE WORST US TITLE REIGNS IS FINALLY OVER.”
🚨 LA KNIGHT HAS DONE IT 🚨
LA KNIGHT IS THE NEW US CHAMP🔥
ONE OF THE WORST US TITLE REIGNS IS FINALLY OVER 😭#Smackdown
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) March 8, 2025
Of course, some were still in shock that a major title changed hands on a regular SmackDown, just weeks ahead of WrestleMania. After Iyo Sky’s win over Rhea Ripley on Raw, this marked the second major shift WWE has made on its two flagship shows.
BFT ONTO THE STEEL CHAIR
A NEW REF SLIDES DOWN TO THE RING
AND NEWWWWW US CHAMPION, LA KNIGHT 🤯#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/CJ3xu1UKIv
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) March 8, 2025
Backstage after his win, Knight cut a short promo with the title, promising to bring it all over the world during WWE’s upcoming U.K. tour on the Road to WrestleMania. At the same time, he implored the WWE Universe to “Pledge your allegiance to the Champ of the United States with everybody saying, L. A. Knight.”
Pledge allegiance to the Champ…
With everybody sayin’#AndNew @WWE pic.twitter.com/OOQ3jZ45kC
— LA Knight (@RealLAKnight) March 8, 2025
Also backstage, fans got the classic Triple H finger-point photo with Knight in the gorilla position, with the two-time U.S. champion proudly wearing the title across his shoulders.
L…A…Knight
Yeah! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YRrTPA7IAP
— Triple H (@TripleH) March 8, 2025
Fans, however, were especially excited about Knight’s title win, mainly because it signaled the end of Nakamura’s struggling reign.
“Shinsuke Nakamura had one of the WORST United States Championship reigns of all time. It wasn’t entirely his fault, as WWE had him do nothing with the belt, but I’m glad WWE decided to give the title back to LA Knight.”
Shinsuke Nakamura had one of the WORST United States Championship reigns of all time.
It wasn't entirely his fault as WWE had him do nothing with the belt, but I'm glad WWE decided to give the title back to LA Knight.
THE MEGASTAR GONNA SAVE THE US TITLE AGAIN 🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/RSzaDyy71i
— TribaI Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) March 8, 2025
Everyone is ready for “THE MEGASTAR TO SAVE THE U.S. TITLE AGAIN,” after Knight restored its prestige following a lackluster title reign by Logan Paul, who defended the belt just three times in nearly six months.
With WrestleMania right around the corner, it remains to be seen where WWE goes with Knight and the United States Championship. Contenders like Andrade and Carmelo Hayes have been lurking in the background, while a high-profile returnee like Aleister Black or Rey Fénix could also enter the mix.
There are plenty of options for Triple H to explore with Knight, and it could make for an exciting and unpredictable WrestleMania build.