10 Superstars Who Could Debut (Or Return) On WWE Raw After WrestleMania 41

7. Asuka

Rusev Day WWE
WWE

Some websites out there are reporting that WWE will press pause on Asuka's on-screen return until May, but...well, Triple H and team have toyed around with the media before. Would anybody really be that shocked if they were feeding such things to outlets in hopes they'll run with it and take everyone off the scent of an earlier-than-expected comeback for the Japanese wrestling legend?

Watch this space, and all that fun stuff.

May is after WrestleMania 41, but it's not the Raw after 'Mania. That's the focus here. Asuka needs to put a bow on her story with Damage CTRL members like IYO SKY, Dakota Kai and Kairi Sane. It'd make sense if she remained in a tag with the latter, but it's clear to anyone watching WWE's weekly product that IYO no longer needs the backup - she's become a big star in her own right.

Either Bianca Belair or Rhea Ripley will probs leave Las Vegas with the Women's World Title, but Asuka is there as a killer opponent for IYO if the 'Genius Of The Sky' retains her prize at 'Mania. There's surely some money in seeing SKY go up against a veteran like Asuka in a series of title matches on PLE in the late-spring and early-summer months, right? 

The success of that will depend on how well Asuka recovers from knee surgery. She was working through pain for a good while before going under the knife, and there will be some ring rust to shake off. Once that's done, then WWE can get on with some matches everyone wants to see.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.