7 Reasons WWE Should Treasure Asuka

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.