10 Ups & 0 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jul 24)

Ups...

10. Let The Rebuild Begin

Asuka Billie Kay
WWE.com

Operation Rehab Asuka commenced with a squash win over Billie Kay last night.

It lasted less than two minutes, with Kay only mustering faint slivers of offence in the early stages before meeting her fate. Billie took control, talked s***, and enraged 'The Empress.' Post-banter, Asuka bludgeoned her opponent with a dropkick, knee, and Shining Wizard, stopped Peyton Royce from getting involved, then quickly put her fellow IIconic away. It was quick, simple, effective, and precisely what it needed to be, once against presenting the former NXT Women's Champion as a dominant force.

Only time will tell if Asuka's credibility can be salvaged after the disastrous Carmella feud, but this was an acceptable start. She looked great, and both IIconics are effective jobbers, but it's a case of convincing the crowd to reconnect. Nobody wants to root for an idiot loser. That's exactly how Asuka has been positioned this summer, and the rebuilding job is Herculean.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.