9 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 15)

3. A Different Playing Field

Asuka destroyed her IIconic opponent in an eighth of the time it took Becky Lynch to put Peyton Royce away, obliterating Billie in a single minute. There's a valid point to be made about the Australian's treatment, but this is great for Asuka, and makes the division as a whole seem like a competitive ladder.

WWE are (rightly) often criticised for their insistence on making everyone feel like a midcarder, creating a star-less talent pool in which 90% of the roster are positioned on the exact same level. Having Asuka barely break a sweat after Lynch was made to overcome adversity against ostensibly the same opponent does the opposite. WWE made Asuka look like the more threatening wrestler heading into the Royal Rumble, and while Lynch outdid 'The Empress' in the verbal battle, the in-ring decimation ensured the champ finished the night on a higher pedestal.

For better or worse, it's unlikely WWE will ever operate with a full-tiered roster. Still, fleeting moments like this enhance the product. They add stakes, establish odds, and help make wins and losses more meaningful in a company that frequently tells us they don't matter. More on that later, though...