5 reasons why Asuka was added to Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte at TLC

We'd all believed it was a done deal when it was announced. Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch were scheduled to clash in a TLC match at WWE TLC. The stage was set for what could potentially be a great contest. And then Mandy Rose's music hit.

She reminded Paige that there were a bunch of women in the back not receiving their due. One cannot contest with that because Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch are indeed pushed ahead of everyone else. So, a battle royal took place on SmackDown Live, to determine the third spot in the TLC match.

I have a few thoughts about this and why Asuka was added to this match. Let me know your thoughts and feelings below as well.

Here are my thoughts!

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#5 Because Asuka has actually been sidelined for too long

Asuka is still one of the most gifted women in the roster

Those of you who remember Asuka from NXT must be disappointed that she's only a shell of the performer she once was. Asuka had embarked on an undefeated streak while in NXT, putting away opponents one after the other with the utmost ease. In fact, she even retired from NXT with the perfect record.

She was brought up to the main roster where she won the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match. She went up against Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 34, and that is where her fortunes would indeed turn. Charlotte Flair ended Asuka's streak and Asuka would unfortunately never be the same.

Fast forward a few months and Asuka is at best, a mid-card tag team performer with Naomi. The aura that had surrounded her once is gone. This match has the potential to rebuild her again. One can hope!

#4 To keep the SmackDown Live brand strong, even after the Women's Royal Rumble

Either Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch will certainly face off against Ronda Rousey

So, Ronda Rousey is scheduled to face Nia Jax at TLC. I think it's safe to say that Rousey will end the threat of Nia Jax with utmost ease. And then, we move on to the Women's Royal Rumble. I have a feeling that a superstar from SmackDown Live will go on to win it.

This is because only Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch seem like credible challengers for Ronda Rousey in a singles bout. Flair has already proved that she can set the ring on fire if given half a chance to prove herself, against Rousey. Lynch and Rousey are building quite the feud of their own on Twitter.

But SmackDown Live also needs a women's title match. Asuka can be a great opponent for either Flair or Becky at WrestleMania 35.

#3 To be the only pure babyface in the title match

Neither Becky Lynch nor Charlotte Flair is a pure babyface right now

Becky Lynch may be the most popular superstar in WWE at this point in time. But her actions indicate that she's hardly a babyface. Charlotte Flair most decidedly isn't one. Maybe she was one when she went into her match at Survivor Series, but she turned heel on the big stage.

I would say that Lynch is playing a Tweener character right now. Flair, on the other hand, is the heel, at least in this equation. And this leaves Asuka, the only real babyface of the lot.

Will the crowd root for Asuka over Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch? They did chant her name on SmackDown Live this week, so that is always a real possibility.

WWE likes to do things traditionally and Asuka is quite a natural babyface.

#2 Because we've seen too many Flair vs. Lynch matches

Maybe it was actually time for a change

To begin with, let me say that I love Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair's chemistry. But they say that too much of a good thing may not necessarily always be a good thing. In my opinion, the audience may have gotten a little tired of the Flair vs. Lynch matches.

Lynch won the SmackDown Women's Championship at Hell in a Cell this year. She went on to defend her title in one of the best matches of the year at Evolution. While yet another match wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing in the world, I understand WWE's need to freshen up the bout by adding Asuka into the mix.

I'm sure that Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair will go on to have many amazing matches in the future too. But this time, Asuka is the third wheel.

#1 Because Asuka is a gifted worker

Few women in the roster can match up to

Asuka,

when it comes to working in the ring

Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the right one. Asuka is one of the best in-ring performers of our era. Notice how I didn't specify 'female performer'. She could even give the men in the roster a run for their money.

Asuka knows a wide variety of styles and can make this match a lot better than it currently is. I'm sure both of the women are thrilled at the chance to work with Asuka. They get to tell a story with two of the best and most talented women in the business.

Will Asuka go on to become the SmackDown Women's Champion at TLC then? Somehow, I don't think that will be the case, because of all the factors and components involved.

Charlotte Flair could win!

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