WWE TLC 2017: Did the WWE Mishandle Asuka’s Debut?
WWE TLC 2017 saw the main roster debut of Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow has dominated the NXT Women’s Division since she arrived. Did she carry that momentum to TLC?
WWE TLC 2017 is in the books and it was a wild night. One of the big moments that was advertised for the event was the main roster debut of Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow has had a stranglehold on the Women’s Division in NXT and now it’s time for the main roster. Fans all over had a bit of trepidation when it came to Asuka’s debut as the main WWE shows haven’t been kind to NXT call-ups. Except for a few exceptions, many of those called up from NXT haven’t had the same momentum they had in NXT. Now it was time to see if Asuka would suffer the same fate.
In the weeks leading up to TLC, it was announced that Asuka would finally be making her debut on the main roster. In a 5-way elimination match, Emma would leave the victor and be named Asuka’s opponent. Though Emma is very strong when it comes to her in-ring work, she hasn’t been given much to work with as far as her character. So the most dominant wrestler in NXT history would be making her big stage debut against someone with zero momentum.
Emma looks unbeatable, Asuka looks average
The opening credits have concluded, the commentary team has completed their recaps and previews and now it’s time for WWE TLC 2017 to officially start. The opening match: Asuka vs. Emma. Emma made her way to the ring first followed by a strong crowd reaction for Asuka. This is where things stopped making sense. The match lasted around 9 minutes which seemed far too long. Considering Asuka has never lost in her entire career under the WWE umbrella, she should’ve annihilated Emma. That’s not quite how the match would play itself out.
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In what was more of a shocking booking decision, the match was a 50-50 affair with plenty of back and forth. In what seems like another fumble by the main roster creative team, they have already tarnished Asuka. Now, it’s only been one match so I won’t hit the panic button just yet, but I’m looking at it. They took Asuka, someone who has looked untouchable and is in an entirely different league and made her look average. Emma did things to Asuka that nobody ever has before.
Emma tossed Asuka around and worked her around the ring like she was an enhancement talent. All the fanfare, pomp and circumstance that was built around Asuka’s debut was gone. By the end of the bout, she looked like just another woman on the roster. The aura and mystique have disappeared. Just another member of the roster with no direction or differentiation.
Can Asuka regain control of the Women’s Division?
Now I have been a bit harsh and it’s unintentionally getting aimed at Emma. Down the road, Emma can be a top-tier contender in the Women’s Division. She needs to get a hand from the creative team so that way her inclusion in these big matches doesn’t feel random. Emma is fantastic in the ring and she knows her character, she just needs the rocket on her back.
Next: WWE TLC 2017: 5 Questions Left to Answer
Asuka ran NXT like a mafia boss runs their organization. If you stepped into her way, she would make sure you didn’t exist any longer. From the moment she stepped foot into NXT the landscape changed. But something with the promotion from developmental to the main roster changes the balance in the universe. In most cases, it’s not of the performer’s own doing. Sadly after WWE TLC, it looks like Asuka may already be heading down that road. Hopefully, the Empress of Tomorrow can find her killer instinct and regain her seat on the throne.