Nakamura sets his sight on AJ Styles after Royal Rumble glory

WWE’s ‘Rock Star’ Shinsuke Nakamura registered his biggest win of the career as he won the 30 men Royal Rumble to book the spot for a championship match at WrestleMania.  

The King of Strong Style, who was entering in his first Rumble match, outlasted 29 other Superstars to win the Men’s Rumble Match, earning a World Title opportunity of his choosing at WrestleMania, the biggest event of professional wrestling.

EXCLUSIVE: Men's #RoyalRumble Match winner @ShinsukeN describes how it feels to be #WrestleMania-bound, and explains why he chose to challenge #WWEChampion @AJStylesOrg. pic.twitter.com/s11SU9FlnD

— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018

He entered at number 14, The Artist notched an elimination early on by tossing Sami Zayn. For the majority of his 44:40 in the contest, WWE’s Rock Star played it safe, avoiding elimination while the typical Rumble shenanigans raged around him.

Surprise entrants in the rumble were Rey Mysterio, who entered at number 27, the Hurricane entered at No. 21, NXT fielded two entrants, reigning NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas and Undisputed ERA ringleader Adam Cole (BAY-BAY).

In the end, the bout came down to a battle of generations, with Nakamura, Reigns and iron man Finn Bálor against Cena, Randy Orton and Mysterio.

Once again, Nakamura played defense, making himself scarce as Reigns eliminated Orton while Mysterio was tossed by Bálor after executing a double-619 to Reigns and Cena.

The Undertaker vs Sting: Dream match close to become reality 

Bálor was next out, sent packing by a somber-looking Cena, and Nakamura struck soon thereafter, sending the 16-time World Champion tumbling after a Kinshasa through the ropes.

With Reigns now the only thing standing between him and WrestleMania glory, Nakamura came alive, daring The Big Dog to fight before bombarding him with a savage array of knees and elbows.

Reigns seemed to have the match in hand, for all intents and purposes, after launching himself into a Spear that pulverized The Artist, but Nakamura answered by cutting off a second Spear with the Kinshasa. Nakamura tossed a dazed Reigns moments later to earn his first Royal Rumble Match victory.

In a post-match interview, the rumble winner — who had the right to choose which title he would pursue — made it clear who he wanted: WWE Champion AJ Styles.

The dream match is set, and The Artist has truly arrived, but his true masterpiece may be yet to come.