Shinsuke Nakamura and Daniel Bryan are two of the WWE's most beloved characters on TV, but they knew each other well before their current runs.
Bryan and Nakamura were roommates together nearly 15 years ago while training together at the New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles. The two weren't alone, however, as they were assigned with another famous name -- former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida. On the Bear Hug It Out podcast, Bryan spoke of the unique situation, and a beef between Machida and Nakamura.
"Me, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Lyoto Machida shared a two bedroom apartment together. Nakamura and Machida had this weird rivalry. They just didn't like each other and I was kind of the peace maker between the two. Well, I wouldn't say peacemaker. Lyoto Machida didn't speak great English, decent English. Nakamrua spoke decent English. It was just enough for the miscommunication and they're both stud enough athletes to really get at each other. It was great. Me and Nakamura had a great time living together," Bryan recalled.
During a recent Talk is Jericho episode, Nakamura was asked about the miscommunication issues as well, as native Japanese, Portugese and English speakers were all under one roof.
"I think 2002 to 2004, I trained MMA (in) Los Angeles, and also I trained pro wrestling in Los Angeles at the L.A. Dojo. So me and Daniel Bryan, Lyoto Machida had the same apartment almost 14 years ago. I couldn't speak English at all then, Lyoto Machida, also same situation - Portuguese. Daniel (said) 'both of your English is shit!," Nakamura said.
Today, Bryan serves as a WWE general manager, Nakamura is set to compete for the NXT Championship later this month, and Machida is the #8-ranked middleweight in the UFC.
