7 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 1)

2. Normalising Asuka

It's almost shocking how quickly WWE have made Asuka feel like part of the furniture since WrestleMania 34. The damage of losing to Charlotte Flair could've been mitigated with a strong follow-up, but the company haven't done this. Instead, she has slotted into a sidekick role, and while it's too early to throw words like "ruined" around, moderate concern is an appropriate reaction.

Having her talk every week is problematic, as is making her look like a geek with forced Avengers references. She didn't come off well in last night's backstage segment with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair; she came off normal, and that should never be the case with Asuka.

The former NXT Women's Champion is too good to fall apart completely, and there'll likely come a time when the bookers hand her a long, prosperous title reign. Still, like Shinsuke Nakamura before her, Asuka is suffering through a lack of character protection. Let's hope it's only a temporary glitch.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.