9 Ups & 5 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Nov 27)

by Andy H Murray

1. Asuka Wins!

Asuka SmackDown
WWE.com

Asuka winning SmackDown's TLC qualifying battle royal was exactly the right outcome to close the show. Props to them for not sh*tting the bed and delivering a needless "swerve" winner (no offence to the underrated Sonya Deville), and let's hope this is a sign that the writers are genuinely interested in rebuilding the fallen 'Empress.'

Flattened by Nia Jax at Survivor Series, Asuka was presented as the battle royal's clear standout. She eliminated several others en route to victory, and though she gave Deville plenty during the closing stretch, Asuka came out of it looking stronger than she has in a while. More importantly, the crowd were into it. They still haven't given up hope in this one-of-a-kind performer, and while Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair remains SmackDown's biggest female stars, perhaps there's hope for Asuka yet.

WWE supposedly had Charlotte snap on Ronda Rousey so they'd have three stars on Lynch and the former UFC Champion's level. They could've had four if it wasn't for Asuka's summer burial. Those unbreakable pillars could've held the Women's Revolution up on their own for a long, long time, but 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' closed an episode of SmackDown standing tall, and that's a big step forward.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.