Every WWE Smackdown Women's Title Reign Ranked From Worst To Best

Asuka's reign is the embodiment of the positives and negatives surrounding the Smackdown Women's Title. A reign that started strong, with a euphoric emotional win over Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a mesmerising TLC match, a moment that still astonishes. A reign that ended badly in a way that devastated many. A reign by someone that fans loved, who never got the television time or the backstage investment to be as big as they should have been.

It's disappointing that the majority of women who have held this belt have been undermined by the creative team, as Asuka more than delivered in-ring. Her title win was fantastic, with her stiff style acclimating to the TLC stipulation perfectly. Her defence at the Royal Rumble against Becky Lynch was breathtaking, fundamental in ensuring the catharsis of Becky's Rumble win later that night. On television, she had a beautiful, underrated match with Naomi, and delivered on the Fastlane PPV with Mandy Rose.

Unfortunately, she was kept off TV for long stretches following her win at the Rumble, and didn't receive a WrestleMania storyline. Her title reign and aura was used as a stepping stone to add meaningless stakes to the Mania main event. Instead of having a big WrestleMania moment as champion, she lost in the pre-show battle royale. Her reign is so high because she fought against the booking to establish herself as a top star, and she's continued to do that recently, proven by her current status as Raw Women's Champion.