10 Most Disappointing WWE Matches Of 2016 (So Far)

2. Asuka Vs. Nia Jax - NXT TakeOver: The End

asuka nia jaxx
WWE.com

The problem with Nia Jax is twofold.

Firstly, a monster heel by definition cannot lose all the time, if ever. For a while, at least. The lifecycle is (or should be) as follows: Massive undefeated streak, defeat at the hands of a babyface-star-in-waiting, face turn, repeat. If they can't win during that initial heel run, with their mammoth size advantage, their entire raison d'etre, and their natural aura, is annihilated.

Jax's problem is that there is another, better killer character in her way. Her half-hearted push has been timed poorly. This is something the main roster creative teams should bear in mind by delaying her debut until, say, Sasha Banks is ready to drop the Women's title. Hopefully that isn't too presumptuous a scenario...

Secondly, as was evident here, there is little scope to expand, especially considering her inexperience, on the David vs. Goliath formula. As such, this was an inferior variation of Jax's match with Bayley at TakeOver: London. Without the natural sympathy Bayley generates, the emotion was missing.

The finish gets top marks. We'll give it that. Jax looked positively monstrous after no-selling that first lethal kick to the face. It was just a case of too little, too late.

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!