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

4. An Anxious Encounter

sasha banks asuka
WWE.com

There can be no such safe, protective booking on a Big 4 pay-per-view: WWE needs to present a major attraction about which the outcome is in severe doubt.

At SummerSlam, in a prolonged sequel to the expert manipulation that was the finish to the Women's Royal Rumble Match, Nikki Bella returns to challenge Asuka. This attraction possesses a meta quality with several acute triggers. To heighten the theme of anxiety, Nikki's return is pitched on a part-time basis, in order to invite the usual protests. Nikki is also symbolic of WWE's trademark spite, having held the Divas Title for just six days longer than AJ Lee purely to shatter the record of the dissenter.

To really put over the premise, Nikki channels the counterproductive toxicity of fiancée John Cena by questioning Asuka's credentials as an all-round sports entertainer. In order to invite the anxiety of a burial, Nikki verbally buries her - before Asuka delivers a grand reckoning in the Barclays Center. This was the arena in which Asuka first appeared - something WWE reminds its audience of to inspire fear of a full-circle arc. It was also the scene of Bayley's biggest triumph.

Subverting that, with yet another crushing loss - this time as the climax to her revived rivalry with Sasha Banks - finally compels Bayley to snap.

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!