Shinsuke Nakamura Reveals How Michael Jackson Influenced His Career, Says Strong Style is Important to Him

– Shinsuke Nakamura spoke with ESPN for a new interview promoting NXT TakeOver: Orlando. Some highlights are below:

On his NXT debut setting the tone for his WWE career: “That moment was the first step of my new journey. For a long time, almost 14 years, I wrestled in Japan, so I didn’t think I would leave New Japan Pro Wrestling, but I started changing my mind. I wanted to see the other world. I wanted to change something. I wanted to be bigger. I wanted to change my world so I felt it was my destiny to come here. At TakeOver Dallas I wrestled Sami Zayn. I never wrestled with him before. Everything was for the first time, but I already had experienced wrestling at huge venues so I wasn’t nervous — but that match was huge for me.”

On Michael Jackson influencing his career: “Michael had charisma. With Michael Jackson, when he moved, it looked like a martial artist to me. He was quicker than other dancers but he didn’t have muscles; he was just quicker and looked more in control of gravity. He looked like a martial arts master so I tried to steal body movement from him; that’s why I imitate Michael Jackson a little bit.”

On ‘Strong Style’ being another big part of his arsenal: “Strong style is a philosophy for Japanese wrestling fans that was created by New Japan Pro Wrestling founder Antonio Inoki. He wanted you to show every motion and show real technique in the ring. It’s important to use real techniques from real life and real martial arts. The detail is important.”