WWE

WWE Reportedly Settles on Tag Team Name for Kyoki and Shinsuke Nakamura

Nakamura and Kyoki expected to compete as "Bakusai" on SmackDown, with WWE having trademarked the name in June.

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WWE Reportedly Settles on Tag Team Name for Kyoki and Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki are expected to officially compete under the name “Bakusai” in WWE SmackDown’s tag team division.

According to False Finish, WWE plans to use the name for the new pairing between the two Japanese wrestlers. The company had already filed a trademark for “Bakusai” in June for use in connection with pro wrestling entertainment.

At the time of the filing, the expectation was that “Bakusai” would serve as Hiromu Takahashi’s new ring name. However, when the former NJPW star finally appeared on the August 21 SmackDown, he was introduced as Kyoki alongside Nakamura. At the end of the vignette, Kyoki shouted “Bakusai,” providing the first clear indication of how the name would actually be used.

More evidence surfaced on August 24. Ahead of the RAW and SmackDown tapings in Ottawa, Kyoki made his in-ring debut for WWE and defeated Kit Wilson in a dark match. During his entrance, the name “Bakusai” appeared on the screen, further reinforcing that it will serve as the team’s identity.

Nakamura and Kyoki already have a clear target on SmackDown. The team has its sights set on the WWE Tag Team Championship, currently held by Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga of MFT. The brothers captured the titles on August 14 in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match, defeating Damian Priest and R-Truth and the War Raiders.