Shinsuke Nakamura Defeats Tama Tonga on WWE SmackDown

Shinsuke Nakamura picked up a win over Tama Tonga in a hard-hitting singles match on the November 6, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown, extending the momentum of his Bakusai faction after the group defeated the MFTs on October 22, Bleacher Report reported. The victory, sealed with Nakamura’s Kinshasa, came despite outside interference from Tonga’s allies and might lead to a tag title rematch down the line.

The match took place at the Barclays Center in New York City as the blue brand’s go-home show ahead of Crown Jewel, Cageside Seats reported. The episode also advertised a No Holds Barred Match between CM Punk and Kevin Owens, a women’s tag title bout between Fatal Influence and the Baddies, and a singles match between Damian Priest and Nathan Frazer. Nakamura and Tonga wasted no time raising the intensity, skipping a traditional lockup to trade punches and kicks, and neither man backed down even when the referee attempted to separate them, according to Bleacher Report.

Talla Tonga’s Interference Fails to Stop Nakamura

WWE.com described how Kyoki again tried to steal the sacred Tongan Staff, and that distraction allowed Nakamura to land the match-ending Kinshasa. Cageside Seats’ live blog confirmed the sequence: Talla ran interference, Kyoki neutralized him, Tama was distracted, and Nakamura won by pinfall.

Despite having Talla and Haku at ringside, Tonga could not overcome the former NXT champion, Bleacher Report reported. The roughly 10-minute bout was an entertaining sprint rather than a marathon, but it pushed the feud forward.

Tag Title Rematch May Follow

With the MFTs having defeated Bakusai on October 22, Nakamura’s singles win might lead to a tag title rematch down the line.

Questions Still Open After SmackDown

Whether the MFTs will get their tag title rematch remains unanswered — WWE has not announced a championship bout between the two stables following the November 6 show. Nakamura’s next move on the road to Crown Jewel is also not yet known.