10 Booking Steps For Asuka On WWE's Main Roster
9. NOBODY Is Ready For Asuka
As part of the ongoing 'Free Agent' storyline, Asuka becomes increasingly frustrated, showing up on both shows to take out local talents and lower card stars with strikes, throws, and most devastatingly, the Asuka Lock.
Striking panic into the hearts of both General Managers at the prospect of having the NXT standout disable their divisions singlehandedly, the story builds to a climax in October, as Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan put forth their best cases for her to join their ranks in a heated segment in front of the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view crowd.
Asking what competition sits on either brand, Asuka is infuriated by Angle and Bryan's gentle consternation that they know a little more about in-ring action than her. She locks the Asuka Lock on Daniel Bryan, and when Kurt Angle attempts to break it up, she quickly reverses his waist-lock and applies it on him.
Shane McMahon's music breaks up the melee, with the SmackDown Live! Commissioner offering Asuka a place on his show with the promise of a Women's Title match in her debut at November's Survivor Series. With Stephanie McMahon still unavailable to counter-offer (and Angle suffering the damage from the submission hold seconds earlier), Asuka nods her approval and makes it official.