WWE: 5 potential dream matches for Io Shirai

1. Asuka

I am seldom surprised at the dumb booking decisions that WWE makes, but the way they have mishandled Asuka since WrestleMania 34 still mystifies me. I knew there was a non-zero chance of it happening, but I figured that WWE would know better than to mess up a sure thing. Clearly, I was mistaken.

Over the past couple of months, WWE managed to throw away Asuka’s mystique — as well as Flair’s momentum — for the express purpose of getting Carmella over as a top heel. CARMELLA! A wrestler that has never had a one-on-one match above two stars. That’s who WWE tried to prop up with Asuka’s streak. Shockingly, it hasn’t helped either woman: Carmella still comes across as a fluke champion while Asuka has become another cog in the WWE machine.

Asuka isn’t a lost cause, but the creative team will have to work hard to repair the damage done to her character and no, one win over Billie Kay isn’t going to cut it. A feud with Shirai would do the trick.

As with Sane, WWE would have plenty of history between Asuka and Shirai at their disposal; the two were allies in Japan as part of the Triple Tails faction with Shirai’s sister Mio. Asuka and Shirai could start off as partners at first — especially if WWE introduces Women’s Tag Team Championships — before they eventually feud. This would allow WWE to play off their past to craft a compelling storyline.

If WWE gave them the chance, Asuka and Shirai could have some outstanding matches.