WWE: 5 Quintessential Asuka Matches
By Warren Hayes
Credit: WWE.com
5. Asuka vs. Mickie James, NXT Takeover Toronto
Part of Asuka’s mystique is her personality. Sure, her work rate is top-notch and her athleticism is second-to-none, but if her personality were as hollow as an empty can of Pringles, a case could be made that she would not be in the position she is now.
This is why her match against Mickie James at Takeover Toronto is the perfect place to start. Don’t worry about not having any Asuka knowledge outside of hype packages. You don’t need previous knowledge of promos or backstage skits that may have been used to hype this fight. You can go into this match completely blind and, by the end, not only completely understand Asuka’s character, but become enamoured by it.
It may not be the most hard-hitting or stiffest match in Asuka’s logbook, but it’s remarkable as an in-ring psychology clinic paired up with some strong, skillful wrestling.
Showcasing her character, Asuka and James exchange mind games for the first third of the fight, really making each woman’s personalities shine in the process. Asuka is in top mischievous pixieish form, while James uses tactics that are clearly a wink to her psycho stalker days with Trish Stratus.
The pitch-perfect psychology of the fight shifts seamlessly into a fantastic, competitive finale as Asuka does everything she can to keep James down.