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What's the story?
Asuka had an interview with Tokyo Sports following her SmackDown Women's Championship at TLC. In the interview, she talked about many topics, including Ronda Rousey, WrestleMania 35, elevating Women's wrestling, etc.
However, the most interesting tidbit was her describing Vince McMahon's reaction backstage after the TLC main event.
In case you didn't know...
Asuka won her first Championship on the main roster at TLC 2018. She's no stranger to championships in WWE, as she held the NXT Women's Championship for 510 days, the longest in the brand's history.
She kicked off the year in incredible fashion, winning the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble match. Though she wasn't successful at WrestleMania 34 and her streak ended, she did move to SmackDown, where she was in creative limbo.
It was only around late November-early December where she re-entered the Women's title picture and in the main event of TLC, she took part in the first-ever women's TLC match, beating champion Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair to capture the women's title.
The heart of the matter
Asuka told Tokyo Sports that Vince McMahon was elated. The translation from the interview is as follows (Credits to Reddit user bravetailor):
"After I finished the match, everyone backstage welcomed us, clapping." Chairman Vince McMahon hugged her directly and said "Congratulations, it was a good match." "I was really happy," said Asuka.
The women's TLC match undoubtedly stole that show and it makes sense that Vince McMahon was happy given that he was reportedly furious at the Dean Ambrose-Seth Rollins match.
It was clear that the right match main evented on the night. In the same interview, Asuka said that she really wants to face Ronda Rousey because it's been teased a few times. She said that she wants to face everyone but this one, in particular, is "really interesting".
She also declared her intentions to defend the title at WrestleMania 35 and also defend it in WWE's next Japan tour. She said that it was difficult accepting that she had not won the title at WrestleMania 34 after winning the Royal Rumble.
What's next?
Asuka's next opponent isn't known as yet, but it's most likely going to be Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble 2019. Hopefully, The Empress Of Tomorrow has a long run with the title.
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