9 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Dec 11)

by Andy H Murray

1. All Hail

Asuka Charlotte Flair Becky Lynch
WWE.com

That Asuka was the one standing tall at the end of SmackDown for the second week out of the last three could be seen as a sign of her rehabilitation... or maybe WWE just want to make her look good before tearing her down again. Either way, last night's conclusion was awesome in the moment, and we'd like to fall on the more optimistic side when it comes to her rebuild's prognosis.

A brawl erupted soon after her DQ win over Charlotte. Becky attempted to walk away, but Flair struck with the kendo, prompting Lynch to beat the unholy sh*t out of her. 'The Man' was so consumed with Charlotte that she forgot about Asuka, allowing the Japanese star to boot her, throw her over the announce table, then batter both opponents with the stick, before hoisting it high above her head as the credits rolled.

Fierce, fiery, and vicious, this was everything 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' should be, and the crowd were into it as well. They still haven't forgotten her glory days, nor have they given up hope of them returning.

Imagine if she wins on Sunday. Imagine if SmackDown had three women's wrestlers on that elite tier. Imagine if the company put time and effort into repairing 'The Empress,' and she goes undefeated again, leading to a huge WrestleMania triumph over Charlotte, overturning the loss that set her 2018 demise into motion in the first place.

We shouldn't get too carried away, but this is exciting.

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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.