Nakamura Returns on SmackDown as Tama Tonga Interference Triggers DQ

Shinsuke Nakamura returned to WWE television on Friday, answering Sami Zayn's United States Championship open challenge at the October 10 SmackDown taping at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, but the match ended in disqualification after the surprise comeback of Tama Tonga triggered a postmatch assault by Tonga's allies.

Nakamura entered to his former Rising Sun theme and was presented as a babyface for the bout with Zayn. The two former NXT rivals competed in a hard-fought match that saw Nakamura land his Kinshasa finishing move and nearly score the pin, but the match was stopped when a hooded figure rushed the ring. That figure was revealed as Tama Tonga, whose interference directly caused the disqualification ruling.

After the bell, Tonga was joined by members of his faction, including Tanga Loa, Talla Tonga and J. C. Mateo, who overwhelmed both Zayn and Nakamura in a four-on-two attack. Solo Sikoa later entered the ring and stood over the fallen competitors, signaling a strengthened alliance between Sikoa and Tonga's faction. Reports noted that the returning group wore face paint similar to imagery Tonga has used previously.

The appearance marked Nakamura's first WWE match...