10 Booking Steps For Asuka On WWE's Main Roster
6. Lass Kicker
Having decimated the Welcoming Comittee, Asuka ends 2017 still undefeated and in possession of the SmackDown Women's Title. It's on the final show of the year that she celebrates her achievements, noting that both singles stars and gangs haven't been able to even get close to her, and how her time on the blue brand will progress exactly as her NXT tenure did.
She is interrupted by Becky Lynch, who calmly comments that it's been a year since she lost the title that sits on Asuka's shoulder and suggests that she knows a thing or two about the developmental brand herself. Facing up to Asuka in the ring, she refuses to back down from the Champion, and even threatens to show the dangerous 'Empress Of Tomorrow' who the real 'Lass Kicker' is.
The pair shake hands and agree to a match at the Royal Rumble, but as Lynch turns her back to exit Asuka gives her a swift kick to the head and leaves first.
When the Rumble emerges, commentators explain that she is still suffering the effects of the head kick, which only emphasises the Champion's dangerous side when she targets Becky's cranium throughout the bout.
Dazed and confused, the referee forces a stoppage after a series of roundhouse kicks and quickfire strikes. Still standing, Becky wants to continue on, but Asuka floors her with another deadly boot. Stood atop her and poised to attack again, the titleholder is backed down by Charlotte, who arrives to cautiously tend to her fallen friend.