Shinsuke Nakamura's WWE career has been one of peaks and valleys.

For every unforgettable debut, NXT Championship run, or Royal Rumble victory, there is a throw-away undercard rivalry that left him firmly in obscurity. He has headlined premium live events one month and not even appeared on the card the next.

Long an inconsistent fixture in high-priority positions, he has still somehow managed to remain over with audiences, as we have seen in recent weeks.

Saturday at Payback, Nakamura was treated like a star, receiving a special anime entrance while his inspiration, WWE Hall of Famer The Great Muta, watched on from ringside. Some fans chanted his name while others rooted for his opponent, Seth Rollins, creating a big-match feel for his first taste of the main event in years.

It was a significant moment for Nakamura and one that suggested this will not be a one-off appearance in that particular spot.

Nor should it.

Nakamura, despite his star and stature internationally, has done everything asked of him in WWE. He has succeeded at every level, no matter the importance, and at Payback, wrestled a damn good main event with Rollins.

The look of anger on his face immediately after the loss, as he stalked the ringside area, keeping an eye on the man who dashed his dreams for the time being, was that of a Superstar hellbent on not only taking The Visionary's World Heavyweight Championship but ending his career.

A post-show attack after the broadcast went off the air confirmed as much and served as proof that The Artist will stay firmly in the title hunt.

The lead-in to Payback featured some of his best work since rising to the main roster in 2017 and it is on the WWE Creative forces to ensure that continues.

Still an engaging presence and one of the most interesting performers on the roster when he is motivated to be, Nakamura is not only the right choice to be highlighted at the top of the card, but he has earned that spot and will continue to do so if his work is at the level it was Saturday in Pittsburgh.