7 Reasons WWE Should Treasure Asuka

By Iain Taylor / April 8, 2020

After yet another disappointing loss at WrestleMania, it's easy to be concerned for Asuka. Her career on the main roster has never come close to her literally unbeatable run in NXT, and it's all too easy to see her sliding down the card again after going 0-3 on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Hopefully WWE realise what an injustice this would be to one of their greatest talents, especially with how Asuka has reinvented herself. Already an excellent wrestler, the Empress of Tomorrow has spent 2020 becoming a great performer. Her heel act with fellow Kabuki Warrior Kairi Sane has been one of the most consistently entertaining parts of RAW this year, and has finally allowed her to express the charisma that makes her one of the most captivating individuals in professional wrestling.

However, it's not just what she has achieved in the squared circle that makes Asuka special. Her recent activities outside the ring, such as the creation of her KanaChan persona on youtube, and her approach to life in general illustrate what an extraordinary person she is, and why WWE are lucky to have her on their roster.

To quote KanaChan herself, "Let's get started!"

7. In-ring Ability

In Bret Hart's classic autobiography "Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling", the WWE legend explains the three things a professional wrestler needs to succeed - in-ring ability, a look and mic skills. This is worth mentioning because applying these criteria to Asuka helps explain why she is the complete package for a WWE superstar.

Let's start with the obvious, and indeed the reason WWE sought her out in the first place - Asuka is a superb in-ring performer. Even in the above one-minute clip you can see why she's regarded as one of the premier talents in the business - how smoothly she transitions from submissions to strikes, and her ability to keep an audience invested in her matches. Hell, go back and watch her performance in the 2020 Elimination Chamber match - even trapped inside her pod Asuka is the most entertaining part of the match, as seen by her popping Shayna Baszler before she's even entered the ring.

Simply put, whenever Asuka steps into the ring you're guaranteed to see something - a vicious kick, an expertly chained submission sequence, or a memorable taunt - that will stay with you long after the match is over. When it comes to putting on a show, few people do it as well as the Empress of Tomorrow.