8 Ups & 8 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 26)

2. What's The Point Of Asuka?

Charlotte Flair Asuka
WWE.com

WWE sacrificed 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' for what they probably feel is the greater good last night, feeding her SmackDown Women's Title reign to the wood-chipper so that Charlotte Flair can carry a belt into WrestleMania 35. This is the first obvious justification. The second is that this will alow cut WrestleMania's runtime down, as WWE don't have to book Asuka anymore. Again, that's fine, but it'd be nice if the promotion learned how to accomplish these things without sacrificing a pushable commodity.

This Women's Title reign should've been used to rebuild Asuka. Winning the gold at TLC 2018 was a great start, and making Becky Lynch tap out at the Royal Rumble was even better. Since then, the Japanese star has only been marginalised, with the brief Mandy Rose feud making her a peripheral figure in the Sonya Deville breakup angle, and her TV appearances dwindling. Now, you might as well stick a fork in her. She's done.

Your writer might be the biggest Charlotte Flair fan in the WhatCulture offices. She's great, and none of this is her fault, but WWE have had her step over Asuka here. So much for developing female talent beyond the obvious big three.

This was Charlotte's first singles win of 2019, by the way. Including house shows.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.