Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki made an impressive start to life as a tag team on the September 4 episode of WWE SmackDown, but their celebrations did not last for long.

Competing under the name Bakusai, Nakamura and Kyoki picked up a victory over The Miz and Kit Wilson in Cleveland. The match marked their first televised appearance together on the blue brand.

Nakamura started the contest, but Miz and Wilson worked together to isolate the former Intercontinental Champion. After enduring the early pressure, Nakamura created an opening and tagged in Kyoki.

The SmackDown newcomer immediately brought fresh energy to the match with a series of crossbodies, a corner lariat and a basement dropkick.

Bakusai also showed encouraging teamwork. In one creative moment, Kyoki used Wilson to help him deliver a Frankensteiner to Miz.

Nakamura later struck Miz with the Kinshasa and appeared ready to secure the victory, but Wilson broke up the pinfall before the referee could count to three.

The result was eventually decided when Wilson attempted an inverted Stunner on Kyoki. The Japanese star countered the move and caught Wilson in a pinning combination to give Bakusai their first victory.

However, Nakamura and Kyoki were not given much time to enjoy their successful debut.

The MFTs appeared on the stage alongside Haku and stared down the new team. With the MFTs currently holding the WWE Tag Team Championships, the confrontation appeared to tease a future championship rivalry.

Kyoki brings plenty of experience to his partnership with Nakamura. Before joining WWE, he competed as Hiromu Takahashi and became one of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s leading junior heavyweight stars.

During his time in Japan, he captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on several occasions and won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament four times.

Kyoki also wrestled in Mexico and for Pro Wrestling NOAH before bringing his 16-year run in Japan to an end in February. Before his televised SmackDown debut, he competed against Wilson in a dark match.

Bakusai are now officially 1-0 in WWE, and their first victory may have already moved them towards a major opportunity. The MFTs have taken notice, meaning Nakamura and Kyoki could soon find themselves challenging for championship gold.

Bakusai is ready for destruction. 👊 pic.twitter.com/3X8DbpVr3Z

, WWE (@WWE) September 5, 2026