Ranking Every Match from NXT TakeOver: Respect
By Carl Gac
WWE.com
2. Asuka vs. Dana Brooke
The woman formerly known as Kana finally made her NXT debut and got the better of Dana Brooke in a great match.
The styles of the two women were at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Asuka is one of the best strikers you’ll see and can pull off some of the most brutal looking submissions. Dana is slowly getting better in the ring and her heel combo with Emma is one that easily gets the fans rooting for whoever they are facing.
Dana looked to mock her Japanese opponent but only found herself on the end of even more kicks and feeling the force of an arm bar, one that really looked like Asuka might go home with a spare limb in her debut match. The chicken wing that won the match, apparently known as the Asuka Lock, was a great way to give the win to the debut.
We not only saw the brutal best of Asuka in this match, but also some hints towards the character that she has to come out as well. She mocked the posing that Dana performs before every match and had the crowd in the palm of her hands through the entire match.
The NXT crowd will always get behind someone who they know is capable of entertaining them, Asuka is without a doubt a woman who can do that. She has only been around for a few weeks but is already lined up to be the next contender for the NXT Women’s Championship held by Bayley. Big things are set to come from Asuka and every woman in the company should be on alert for that fact.
Next: No. 2?