10 Opponents Who Would've Been Better Choices For Asuka At WrestleMania 35

When Asuka was defeated at WrestleMania 34, I wasn't thrilled that the longest reigning NXT Women's champion lost to a wrestler who didn't need the win; however, despite walking out of the Grandest Stage of Them All empty-handed, there was still potential for a compelling storyline to come out of Asuka's defeat.

Fast forward to the late fall and Asuka's time on the main roster continued to be a disappointment. WWE Creative did nothing to capitalize on Asuka's fall from grace and her feud with Carmella actually did more harm than good.

However, fans were still behind the 'Empress of Tomorrow' and when she won the Smackdown women's title, it was indeed a joyous moment as it seemed that the company finally understood how to properly book Asuka.

However, since Royal Rumble, where the Smackdown Women's Champion made Becky Lynch tapout, the company clearly had no plans in place for her as she became non-existent on television.

We're less than a few weeks away and unfortunately, it seems like the 'Empress of Tomorrow' will have a WrestleMania match that will be destined for the pre-show. Ideally, Charlotte Flair would've been a perfect foil for Asuka; however, the company decided that Flair needed to be inserted into the Becky Lynch/Ronda Rousey feud.

This Tuesday, we'll finally see the crowning of a #1 contender for the Smackdown Women's title, with Naomi, Sonya Deville, Many Rose, and Carmella all vying for a chance to dethrone the Empress at WrestleMania 35.

All four women are indeed talented, but there's no denying that no matter the outcome, it will be a disappointment. This all goes back to the way these talents have been handled booking wise. I've decided to compile a list of the ten women who would've been a better choice for Asuka at the grandest stage of them all.

I'm also using the short time frame when putting the list together, just to showcase that the Smackdown women's title match could've been compelling despite a two-week build. Let's get started with our first competitor.

#10 Meiko Satomura

2018 Mae Young classic competitor, Meiko Satomura

Perhaps the most outlandish pick on the list due to the fact that the only ties Satomura has with the WWE is the Mae Young Classic.

The 39-year-old wrestling veteran would virtually be an unknown to a good portion of the audience and thanks to the creative’s lack of care of Asuka since the Royal Rumble, there wouldn’t be much time to build a match-up between these two.

The reason I feel Satomura would be a great foil for the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ is due to the fact that the Stardom talent and Asuka have ties from the indie scene. In their first encounter back in 2010, Satomura defeated Asuka - who was going under the name Kana then.

Asuka would eventually get her wins back later on (as evidenced with the video provided above); however, WWE can simply ignore that fact and play up Asuka never defeating the wrestling veteran. There have been ideas tossed around about the women’s battle royal being a #1 contender’s match with the winner facing Asuka later on in the night.

Satomura could've won that match-up, with the company showcasing a video of Satomura defeating Asuka, and build up the idea that Asuka has never defeated the veteran throughout her career. While most of the WWE audience wouldn’t have a clue who Satomura is since she’s been barely on any part of WWE television, if the company gave the match-up a proper build up throughout the night then fans could get invested in the bout.

Granted, no one will actually buy Asuka losing; however, Satomura is a great wrestler and I have no doubt that she and Asuka would be able to get the crowd into the match eventually.

#9 Toni Storm

Unlike Satomura, Toni Storm doesn’t have any ties with Asuka. The match would be your classic babyface vs. babyface encounter. It would be abruptly sudden to introduce Storm as a heel on the main roster since she’s been a babyface throughout her time with the company.

I know WWE doesn’t necessarily value continuity and proper character development, but I do, thus having Storm showing up as a heel wouldn’t be ideal based on the little time we have left for WrestleMania.

Like Satomura, the NXT UK Women’s champion would win the battle royal to earn her right to face Asuka. While the two WWE title holders don’t have any history, it doesn’t mean that the company can’t build up Storm throughout the night as a credible challenger via video package and interviews.

It helps that Storm is the NXT UK Women's champion as the mini-build can be a champion vs. champion match. Again, no one will buy that Storm will beat Asuka especially since she’s currently representing NXT UK.

However, it shouldn’t stop the company from trying to create a believable opponent for the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ so when Asuka does defeat Storm, she maintains her image as a credible champion.

This match can also do wonders for Storm as it could easily be a breakout moment for her if the two talents have a strong bout.

#8 Kairi Sane

Apply my booking for Toni Storm to the former NXT Women’s champion, accept the champion vs. champion placement. Kairi Sane is indeed main roster ready, but my concern lies with Vince McMahon not knowing what to do with both Sane and Asuka on the main roster at the same time.

Sane is a fantastic babyface and has had nice showings during both the 2018 and 2019 Royal Rumble matches. Asuka and Sane have yet to have a one-on-one encounter with each other, but the former Stardom wrestler is just as good as the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ and should no doubt have a strong match against the Smackdown Women’s champion.

Asuka would be my pick to go over as I don’t feel this should Sane’s official call-up. Though if she gives a strong lasting impression, there would be nothing wrong with Sane remaining on the main roster going forward. However, it would be up to WWE creative to not let Sane become just another woman on the main roster.

#7 Rhea Ripley

First-ever NXT Women's UK champion, Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley’s introduction to the main roster can be a violent and vicious attack on the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’, with her then stealing the Smackdown Women’s title away from her. While Asuka is away selling her ‘injury’ as the company plays up the fact that her career is done, Ripley can brag about ending the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ and showcase her skills throughout the build in various squash matches that highlights her dominance and power.

During the WrestleMania pre-show, Asuka and Ripley can get into a pull apart brawl backstage with Asuka demanding a match against the former NXT UK Women’s champion. Given the nature of this feud, the match-up would more so be a fight instead of a traditional wrestling match. Again, I would put Asuka over with an ending that indicates Ripley’s career in the WWE is over. Ripley can continue her time back in NXT UK and make her re-debut a year from now.

It is possible that the company revisit this feud should Asuka hold the title for a lengthy period of time, with Ripley getting the victory in the end. The young NXT UK star has a bright future in the company thanks to her talent, thus she would do fine as the face of the division. Plus, she’s blonde (kind of), so, why not?

#6 Io Shirai

Arguably the best female wrestler on the list, this match would be another babyface vs. babyface bout between the two talents.

Shirai and Asuka also have history on the indie scene as both were apart of a faction called the Triple Tails that also included the now retired Mio Shirai (yes, she and Io are related) from 2010 to 2013.

Surprisingly, Io and Asuka have yet to have a one-on-one match against one another, but the story of the match could be a classic student vs. teacher bout. A video highlighting Shirai and Asuka’s past experiences as a duo with Shirai explaining that Asuka was always a mentor to her throughout her career.

Like the female talents before, I would have Shirai win the battle royal to earn the right to challenge Asuka for the Smackdown Women’s championship.

The reason why I’m big on a #1 contender’s battle royal at WrestleMania is due to the fact that the match can give talents a chance to shine and standout as something special inside the ring.

Shirai is a fantastic wrestler and if creative booked her like a star in the match, fans would no doubt gravitate to the NXT wrestler.

#5 Shayna Baszler

Two-Time NXT Women's champion, Shayna Baszler

Thus far, I’ve been reaching deeply into the NXT talent pool with all the developmental stars taking the loss. However, if the company introduces Shayna Baszler to the main roster, she should immediately be skyrocketed to the main event scene.

Baszler’s bully character is a highlight in the NXT women’s division and while she’s no Io Shirai or Kairi Sane inside the ring, Baszler’s in-ring skill is sound enough to make her the face of the Smackdown women’s division.

Again, I would go with the battle royal #1 contender’s match idea; however, I would put over Baszler in a massive way by having her win the title. While I’m not personally keen on Asuka losing once again at WrestleMania, the goal would be to immediately make Baszler’s presence known on the main roster.

Baszler can take out Asuka once the match is said and done, with the 'Empress of Tomorrow' being out for months selling that her career could be over. Baszler would reign over the division, with Asuka making her return around the time of SummerSlam.

The two could resume their feud with Asuka regaining the title once its all said and done. The purpose ultimately is to make Baszler a star from out of the gate and keep Asuka in the top card mix.

#4 Mickie James

Yes, a RAW wrestler challenging for a Smackdown title, but honestly, I just don’t deem any other woman on the Smackdown roster worthy enough to face Asuka at WrestleMania. Again, this is nothing against the female talent on the blue brand as it all comes down to creative booking, which hasn’t done many favors to any woman not named Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.

Mickie James is indeed damaged goods herself. Since her return to the company in 2017, the former six-time women’s champion’s character has flipped and flopped so many times that it's hard to care about her at this point. It’s a shame because James is head and shoulders above most of the women when it comes to all-around talent.

Even if James gave a tremendous performance throughout the battle royal match, it wouldn’t wash away the stink of her main roster run thus far. That’s why I would book this as a squash match.

I know, I’m insane, but hear me out. It's just too late to make James a credible threat thus the company would be wise to build up the storyline of James' failure to make any impact since her return. James would cut a fiery promo and claim that she still has what it takes to be champion again, only to be outclassed by Asuka by every turn.

This would then throw a storyline of James questioning herself amongst the young talent. There are two ways to go with this story. The former women’s champion could go on a storyline of redemption building up to a rematch with Asuka at SummerSlam and win the title after proving that she still has “it” against various talents since WrestleMania.

Or creative can make her a desperate and dangerous heel. Looking to regain her spot back at the top, James will get rid of everyone she views as a threat by tapping into her darker and violent side in order to get the job done.

Clearly, the purpose isn’t to embarrass James, but to get a long-term storyline (and a title reign) out her shocking defeat. The RAW wrestler deserves at least one more run with the gold.

#3 Nikki Cross

Sadly, I think we can conclude that Nikki Cross' run on the main roster has been a flop, which is no fault of her own. The company can always tap into their NXT feud back in 2016 that resulted in an excellent (and first ever) last woman standing match.

Cross can simply attack Asuka at every turn leading up to WrestleMania. The two could actually have a title match on the go-home show of Smackdown that results in a count out due to the match losing control.

A rematch would take place at WrestleMania, possibly with a falls count anywhere stipulation. While I do believe that Cross is talented enough to be on top of the women’s division, we’re still new in Asuka’s title reign thus the ‘Empress of Tomorrow’ should retain the title.

There is the possibility of going back to a last woman standing match at WrestleMania and having the bout end in a draw due to both competitors taking each other out.

A rematch the following month ensues with Cross walking out as champion. If booked properly, Cross’ lackluster run could easily be turned around as her and Asuka should be able to produce great matches that highlights both character’s strengths.

#2 Victoria

Former Two-Time Women's champion, Victoria

One of the best female wrestlers in the WWE, who has sadly been ignored by the company. If you don’t know who Victoria is, she came around during the Ruthless Aggression era and stayed for some of the diva’s era.

The former two-time women’s champion is in the upper echelon when it comes to workers inside the ring, having produced great matches against the likes of Trish Stratus, Lita, and Mickie James.

Victoria left the company in 2009 and wrestled in TNA/Impact Wrestling for a bit as Tara before exiting and going to the indies.

Victoria has stated that 2019 will be her final year as an active in-ring competitor. Going back to the battle royal, the match could see a surprise return of the former WWE wrestler, who ultimately wins in the end.

While Victoria was a fantastic heel, I would still book a babyface vs. babyface match with Asuka coming out on top. The company should highlight the career accomplishments up until the match begins so the modern audience becomes a bit familiar with who she is and what she can do in the ring.

#1 Melina

Former five-time women's champion, Melina

Another ignored and talented female wrestler in the ruthless aggression/diva’s era who could still go inside the ring. The former five-time women’s champion still competes on the indie circuit, with her last match being against Victoria back in February.

For those of you unfamiliar with Melina's work, the former WWE superstar came into the company as the manager of MNM, which consisted of Joey Mercury and John Morrison (who is the current world champion in IMPACT Wrestling), back in 2005.

The group would eventually go there separate ways years later and Melina stood out as one of the stronger female competitors on the roster. She's had great matches with the likes of Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Michelle McCool, and Natalya.

She was eventually released back in late 2011; however, she left WWE with five title reigns under her belt. Just like Victoria, I would book Melina in the same matter. However, the company could make the former women’s champion heel by attacking Asuka before their match-up later on in the night.

With Asuka going into the match with an “injury”, it would create suspense for some fans as they could actually believe that Melina might pull off the upset victory.

It’s possible that Asuka could win with some type of cradle or pinning combination thus protecting Melina and continuing the feud. While Melina does hold value in returning to the WWE women’s division, Asuka should be victorious the end of this feud.