10 Booking Steps To End Asuka’s Undefeated Streak In WWE
6. Cold Hard Cash
With one foot firmly in the realm of established reality, Asuka once more narrowly defeats The Boss in a Last Woman Standing WrestleMania rematch at Backlash, the almost guaranteed quality (and relative novelty) of which should emerge as the real story, as opposed to the two consecutive losses suffered by Sasha. Besides which, Ember Moon's currency was not damaged by a similar record. Asuka does not bury her opponents.
At Money In The Bank, another event in which the titular attraction mitigates the need for Asuka to do something of real intrigue, Bayley, slowly succumbing to the villain within, shockingly captures the briefcase via controversial means. Pitched as a tactic more desperate than vile, the full turn is nonetheless foreshadowed at the finish. The commentary team sells the nature of the victory more so than the victory itself. This is a different Bayley - but the inherent goodness of her character prohibits an immediate shock turn. This is a slow-burner of an arc.
Asuka Vs. Mickie James is a secondary attraction worthy of a card WWE is elevating to dual-brand Big 5 status - without burning through something of Big 4 potential.