10 WWE Roster Trades That Must Happen In 2017
9. Asuka To SmackDown
NXT isn’t a mere developmental territory anymore. The show has become a genuine brand in its own right, and with big names like Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura doing the rounds, the focus has shifted from training youngsters to putting on a good show and drawing crowds.
Triple H himself has suggested that going from NXT to the main roster shouldn’t be considered a “call-up” anymore, and that NXT has become WWE’s third major brand. If that’s the case, then we can surely look forward to the likes of Samoa Joe being “traded” to Raw or SmackDown soon, and the current NXT Women’s Champion shouldn’t be far behind him.
Asuka has all but exhausted her options at Full Sail University. She’ll defend her belt at TakeOver: San Antonio, and there’s still a big singles match with Ember Moon on the table after that, but the Empress of Tomorrow should be en route to SmackDown as soon as she drops the title. Asuka’s presence has been vital in rebuilding the division without the Four Horsewomen, but the rise of Ember, Nikki Cross, and others means she’s no longer needed, and she’s free to move on to bigger things.
SD makes perfect sense for Asuka. The women’s scene is still relatively thin on Tuesday nights, but Mickie James’ imminent arrival will give it a huge boost. Add Asuka into the mix with James, Becky Lynch, and Alexa Bliss, and SD have a group of women capable of rivaling Raw’s mighty trio of Charlotte, Bayley, and Sasha Banks.