10 WWE Stars Who Have Gone AWOL

2. Asuka

Asuka WWE
WWE

Asuka is another who's expected to play a major part in the upcoming Royal Rumble. Nothing is 100% nailed on, though - WWE might not want to split the spotlight between comebacks like her one and attention on other major stars like Lita or Charlotte Flair. That could keep Asuka on the shelf for the time being.

The women's division is worse without her.

Last September, Asuka posted pics of herself sporting an arm brace. That confirmed that she'd had some surgery, and she probs also needed dental work done too after a nasty botch involving Shayna Baszler in February. Plus, some time off was likely on the cards for a woman who'd been the glue holding Raw's women together throughout the pandemic.

Asuka's latest match came at Money In The Bank 2021 last summer; if she doesn't launch a popular return at the Rumble (the pop would be insane), then christ knows when fans will see her again. That comeback can't come soon enough.

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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.