The evil Asuka
Asuka is a professional wrestler currently competing in WWE, where she portrayed a villainess.
Asuka debuted in WWE (after years of competing in her native Japan and in SHIMMER) in October 2015, defeating Dana Brooke at NXT Takeover: Respect. After racking up countless victories for months, Asuka contended for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT Takeover: Dallas on April 1, 2016, and defeated Bayley to capture the title.
Asuka's heel turn began at NXT Takeover: Toronto on November 19, 2016. At the event, Asuka successfully defended her title against the returning Mickie James, but after the match ended, the victorious champion refused to shake Mickie's hand in a show of respect. After another successful title defense at NXT Takeover: San Antonio (against Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, and Nikki Cross), Asuka began feuding with Ember Moon, who was named the #1 Contender for the title. Their title encounter took place at NXT Takeover: Orlando on April 1, 2017 (marking one year since Asuka won the title), and at the event, Asuka's heel persona resurfaced when she shoved the referee into Ember so she could avoid being on the receiving end of Ember's Eclipse finisher. Asuka delivered a kick to Ember's head and retained the title.
On the May 3 edition of NXT, Asuka turned heel and interfered in the main event: a #1 Contender's Battle Royal. During the match, the evil Asuka attacked the match's three remaining combatants: Ember Moon, Nikki Cross, and Ruby Riott, and afterwards, Asuka celebrated in the ring and cemented herself as a villainess by proclaiming that none of the women are ready for her. As a result, however, Asuka was ordered by General Manager William Regal to defend the title against Ember, Nikki, and Ruby in a Fatal Four Way Match at NXT Takeover: Chicago. However, Asuka's villainous actions resulted in an injury to Ember, taking Ember out of Takeover. Asuka successfully defended the title at Takeover on May 20, defeating and pinning Nikki and Ruby. After another title defense against Nikki Cross, Asuka's feud with Ember resumed heading to to NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III, where Asuka successfully retained the title against Ember. Due to an injury suffered at the event, Asuka vacated the title on the September 6 episode of NXT, ending her reign at a WWE record 523 days.
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