WWE: Asuka, A More Dynamic Kind of Dominance

Still undefeated over two years after arriving in WWE NXT, Asuka has thrived via the presentation of a different kind of dominance.

For me personally, Asuka has been a quite fascinating performer to follow. Don’t get me wrong, her early days in NXT certainly dazzled me as far as skill, but the overall package wasn’t one I fully understood. A great worker, undeniably, but everything else felt lacking for me, and I found myself a little befuddled by her sheer on-screen dominance. The end game never really seemed clear to me and with Ember Moon twice failing to dethrone her, that gripe only grew in my mind.

That Brooklyn encounter opposite Moon was spectacular nonetheless and it would lead to something that fans had pondered for quite some time. With nothing left to do as NXT’s female centrepiece, it was now time for Asuka to move up to the main roster. Immediately, some major issues came to mind. Considering her limitations verbally, how would Asuka connect with this wider audience and more specifically, could the undefeated streak live a lengthy life on the wild main roster landscape?

Well with all those fears in mind, the world watched on as Asuka made her main roster debut at TLC in October. Joining the RAW brand, Asuka had a range of potential opponents but her first would be old NXT rival Emma. Physically, the match was good. It had some crisp action, neat transitions and Asuka sold nicely throughout too. However, many felt that it was a missed opportunity. After being hyped as an unbeatable and fearsome destroyer, Asuka had struggled with Emma which for some, indicated a creative misstep before this run had even begun.

Interestingly, just a couple of weeks later and Asuka was suddenly going down that suggested route. Whether it be opposite ‘local competition’ or more memorably Dana Brooke, Asuka racked up some quick wins whilst also being the sole survivor at Survivor Series. I’d say the results were mixed, with Asuka’s two minute wins garnering little response whilst a more outrageous triumph opposite Brooke seemingly connected much more. However, it was in the New Year that Asuka truly hit her stride, and not simply due to her now famed Royal Rumble win.

Instead it was the surrounding singles matches that really highlighted Asuka’s ability. Strong television bouts opposite Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks and Bayley all thrived and more than that, showed Asuka’s immense in-ring versatility. With tremendous swagger opposite Bliss, strong selling against Nia and that unmistakable aggression when facing Banks and Bayley, Asuka’s diverse skill-set had never been clearer. Each of those matches brought a different challenge and with it, contrasting stories to tell, yet Asuka had still adapted admirably on all four occasions.

Pair that with her aforementioned rumble win and Asuka had been very much established to the company’s whole fan-base. She was winning and doing so in a fashion worth watching. Regardless of all other factors, that’s simply a winning formula. Asuka would replicate her prior success opposite Jax too, as the pair put on an incredibly engaging PPV affair at Elimination Chamber. Most recently, Asuka continued this ‘streak’ of sorts also, putting on a fun TV encounter with old NXT opponent Mickie James.

As we now all know, Asuka’s WrestleMania opponent will in fact be the SmackDown Live champion: Charlotte Flair. For many, this is a genuine dream match and obviously, represents a huge chance for Asuka to shine on the biggest stage. Either way, it’s been fascinating to watch Asuka’s progression in-ring and out. Creatively, things may not have been an immediate success but before long, a simplistic approach quickly settled any debate. Though there were question marks surrounding Asuka’s main roster presentation, my conclusion is that their first step was a correct one.

Streak or not, Asuka isn’t a performer built more on size than skill. In-ring, she has no weaknesses to hide with smoke and mirror dominance so in fact, short matches aren’t actually the best way to go with her. Instead, this is a woman most comfortable once the bell rings so it’s worth keeping her there. I see no issue with her selling, or looking vulnerable, when it’s all part of a match that will eventually get the fans out of their seats. At times I found the ‘dominant’ presentation jarring but when framed like this, it makes much more sense for me personally.

Asuka’s undefeated streak doesn’t come from elite strength or power but instead skill, resilience and know-how. She’s an incredible technician that always finds a way to win and that allows her matches to be much more interesting. It allows her to sell and have moments of genuine back and forth which is the best thing Asuka can really bring to this division: more great matches. In hindsight, it was this way in NXT too. Of her name opponents, Asuka ‘squashed’ almost none of them and instead played the same role: a great competitor that found a way, by hook or by crook.

Now to be fair, there have still been some moments of struggle for Asuka on the main roster. In-ring promos will likely never be a smart direction to take her and I’ll be honest in saying that at times, her booking still confuses me. However, the WWE isn’t booking for me or any other single person and I’ve enjoyed Asuka a ton regardless. The credit for that doesn’t nearly all go to creative either, they’ve simply done what made sense and have allowed Asuka to wrestle matches with length and consequence.

I personally feel Asuka’s own performance has adjusted a little too. I think now more than ever, she’s found the perfect balance to her mannerisms and movements. She’s still flamboyant and unique but doesn’t overstretch the wackiness quite as much as before. At times in NXT, I found some of the dancing and such to be a little conflicting but for me, she’s found a much neater approach since arriving on RAW. Though maybe not yet quite as revered as she was in NXT, Asuka is progressing excellently and the crowd reaction to her at Fastlane shows just that.

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For all the speculation and analysis, Asuka’s real success has come exactly where you’d expect it to. It’s where she’s most comfortable and where she’s elite: in-ring opposite someone with a valuable skill-set of any kind. There may be creative elements you dislike, but Asuka’s immense in-ring consistency suggests that opposite Charlotte at WrestleMania, she has a very real chance to steal the show.