Why WWE Hasn’t Been Using Asuka on WWE TV

WWE SmackDown Live Superstar Asuka is beloved by a large portion of the audience. Her in-ring ability and charisma earned her a lengthy reign as NXT Women’s Champion, an undefeated streak, a win in the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match and now, the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship.

Fans have noticed over the past few weeks that “The Empress of Tomorrow” has not been involved in any episodes of the blue brand show. She ended 2018 off on a high- defeating both Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch at WWE TLC to capture the Championship. Asuka would start 2019 off strong with her victory against Lynch at the Royal Rumble. Now she isn’t on television.

Despite not being used, Asuka has had hype footage released on TV providing an overview of her abilities and “path of destruction.” This is evident in the clip we’ve featured below.

Relive Asuka's path of destruction: SmackDown LIVE, Feb. 5, 2019

So where is Asuka?

According to WrestleVotes on Twitter, the reason Asuka isn’t being used is due to WWE not wanting to overcomplicate things for their audience.

Been getting a ton of Asuka questions. As far as I know, they do have a plan for Mania. Just wasn’t wise for Asuka to be featured the last few weeks. WWE doesn’t want excessive “brand jumping” prior to WM, leaving only Lana or Vega for Chamber. That’s not a PPV matchup WWE wanted

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) February 13, 2019

With Flair and Lynch seemingly involved in the RAW Women’s Championship scene on the road to WrestleMania 35 and the Elimination Chamber match debuting the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, it seems WWE has no real challengers for the Champion without forcing further female Superstars to jump brands.

After the first-ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are crowned at Elimination Chamber, it is likely Asuka will be re-inserted into programming. With a WrestleMania match on the horizon, it also begs the question of who might challenge “The Empress of Tomorrow.”

After Elimination Chamber, there would be several possible opponents lined up for Asuka. This could include but is not limited to, Naomi, Carmella, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville. Nikki Cross is a wild factor, but there is also the chance that WWE could have a larger match for Asuka that includes multiple female Superstars from the SmackDown Live roster.

Editor’s Note:

I am looking forward to WrestleMania 35. I think the most likely option, at least right now, is that Asuka will either face Cross or have a multi-women match. Naomi, given her history with Asuka, would be good too. But Asuka has defended against Naomi before… so it wouldn’t be anything new. I’d still be excited for it, though.

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What is your match prediction for the Championship at WrestleMania 35? Are you fine with no Elimination Chamber or Fastlane matches for the Champion- if that is indeed the plan?

Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page or Twitter account. Additionally, you can find me on Twitter at @SOSNH1995. We also want to remind you that we have a Newsletter you can sign up to. This will allow us to send you the best news in one place via an email.