10 Best WWE NXT Wrestlers Of 2017
2. Asuka
Much of the conversation surrounding Asuka right now is predicated on pure anxiety. When is WWE going to botch and or humiliate her? She has to win the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match, doesn't she? WWE tend to bend narratives as they go along: will "never defeated in singles competition" act as a bullsh*t caveat, come February?
The cynicism is understandable. Just look at the vast, sad majority of her fellow, recent NXT call-ups - but since the end of the year is often spent reflecting on what preceded it, the Empress deserves credit for both disproportionately dominating the NXT Women's ranks and elevating her opponents in inevitable defeat. There is a reason why Asuka - a frightening snap tornado of a performer dripping in physical charisma - remained NXT Women's Champion for a phenomenal 510 days: every opponent she faced emerged from what was invariably a killer match with their status enhanced.
She cast Nikki Cross as the authentic lunatic article in their vicious, overlooked Last Woman Standing war on NXT TV over the summer. Ruby Riot looked competitive against her in Chicago - no small feat, given the halfhearted TV build. And, best of all, Asuka in a performance of perfect balance all but positioned Ember Moon as the better (storyline) wrestler at TakeOver: Brooklyn III in a very subtle - and thus majorly effective - pseudo-heel role.
Tomorrow never knows - but for today, the Empress reigns supreme.