According to our newest contributor, Dallas Glenn, Asuka is Smackdown Live’s Next Monster Heel & needs to begin a feud with Becky Lynch…
When you think of Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, and Nia Jax, you think of brooding, destructive figures who will lay waste to any superstar that is placed before them. Sometimes, like in Brock Lesnar’s case, a mouthpiece manager is needed for a monster to reach that next level of ferocity. A mouthpiece manager like Paul Heyman can keep his charge over with promos alone, whether the charge is present or not.
Also, with the right type of booking, the manager can make it seem like they are the only person who can save the world from their client ripping it apart.
While this superstar doesn’t possess such a mouthpiece, she does possess a particular move set and demeanor that warrants a heel character and push once she gets called up to the main roster. Her strong style and use of various submissions can believably put her over against the likes of Naomi, Nikki Bella, and even Becky Lynch. This superstar is Asuka, and she is getting ready for an extremely high profile bout at NXT Takeover: Toronto against Mickie James.
What makes this bout even more interesting, besides its initial billing, is that Becky Lynch is in need of women to feud with. On top of that, Mickie James would be an excellent candidate for Asuka to drop the NXT Women’s Championship to and still come out looking strong. Carmella and Eva Marie are not strong enough in the ring to carry on a championship feud with Becky Lynch, much less hold the title. This leaves only two female heesl left on Smackdown Live, and that’s Alexa Bliss and Natalya.
Alexa Bliss oozes charisma as a natural heel, but Natalya still seems like she doesn’t know how to let loose as a WWE character. After sitting through the PG Era, one can understand why having a good amount of quality heels on the roster is a high priority when pushing a babyface.
One day, however, the babyface needs to lose in order to win. John Cena proved that the fans don’t always want to see the hero vanquish the villian, especially if the hero was extremely outclassed by said villain.
Speaking in terms of in ring style, Asuka would be the only heel on the Smackdown Live women’s roster that outclasses Becky Lynch. Natalya can go hold for hold with Lynch, but Asuka’s striking element gives her the edge from a competition standpoint. Becky Lynch also isn’t a vanguard on the microphone, but she can put together promos that are fluent enough to keep the story moving. Asuka’s mic skills need a great deal of work, but if she is booked as the monster ready to wreak havoc against Smackdown Live, the pressure of immediate improvement would be alleviated somewhat.
Overall, I think that Asuka and Becky Lynch should begin a feud as soon as the Alexa Bliss vs Becky Lynch feud is settled. Becky Lynch’s medical setback is a huge blow to Smackdown Live’s women’s division as they won’t have their champion competing for a few weeks.
In my opinion, this is Smackdown Live’s one weakness when compared to RAW right now, but having two world class heels for Becky Lynch to feud against would raise the divison’s stock almost instantly.
What do you guys think?
Does Smackdown Live need more heels in the women’s division?
Could Asuka succeed as a women’s champion on the main roster?
Comment below and let’s talk about it.