14 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown Superstar Shake-Up

13. The Empress & Princess Unite

Kairi Sane Mandy Rose Asuka
WWE.com

There's probably a joke to be made about Vince McMahon substituting Io Shirai for another Japanese wrestler in Asuka, but screw it: Paige's women's tag team revealed was well-handled and satisfying.

WWE fans had been conditioned to expect the Sky Pirates this week. Instead, new call-up Kairi Sane will be teaming with 'The Empress Of Tomorrow,' who was brought out first as the former General Manager introduced her new tandem. It was a nice little swerve, and good news for all, as Shirai can establish herself as an NXT women's division mainstay, Sane will make her name on the main roster, and it's a great make-good for Asuka, who isn't going to be pushed to Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair's level anytime soon.

Paige's new besties showed good chemistry in the eight-woman tag, too. This is going to work.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.