10 Booking Steps To End Asuka’s Undefeated Streak In WWE

5. An Easy Sell

sasha banks asuka
WWE.com

The RAW brand is set to host (or be lumbered with) the traditionally terrible Battleground pay-per-view - but there is no reason why this cannot exist as a proving ground for an emerging performer in a stature-enhancing loss.

The SAnitY faction, having debuted on the post-WrestleMania RAW, target Asuka in the months that follow. In reality, even if Asuka were to conclusively defeat Naomi at Money In The Bank, WWE would not conclude the rivalry, instead using the thinnest of motivations to book a rematch. The danger is that familiarity, as the cliché goes, breeds contempt - and Asuka is in danger of breeding that unto herself by operating within the glut of relentless episodic television. Entire episodes of NXT passed by without Asuka's presence - and that simply isn't something WWE allows to happen on the main roster. Normalising Asuka's special mystique is an unavoidable risk - one avoided here through emulating the Bret Hart arc of 1995, in which the Hitman elevated lesser talents to his level. Asuka Vs. Nikki Cross, it helps, tore the roof off Full Sail in 2017.

At the finish, Bayley teases, for the first time, cashing in the briefcase - despite promising, as a valiant babyface, to do so in advance. A cloying smile is etched all over her face. Suddenly, the inner child more resembles an irritating brat...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!