How WWE Mishandled Asuka

Going into Wrestlemania 34 Asuka was riding high, boasting a 2 and a half year long winning streak since signing with WWE. She had also just come off the heels of running through the entire Raw roster week after week defeating the likes of Bayley, Sasha Banks and Nia Jax. WWE topped that off by producing one of the most generous vignettes in recent memory. It was a highlight package showcasing all of Asuka's accomplishments from NXT to present day.

WWE built Asuka up to be a powerhouse. And it was all erased in 2 nights.

Asuka's match with Charlotte at Wrestlemania was one of the highlights of the night on a very good show. There was great back and forth and a fantastic story told by two top notch wrestlers. To everyone's surprise, though, Asuka lost. And not only did she lose, she tapped out.

Everything, from the long winning streak to Asuka's win at the inaugural Women's Royal Rumble felt like it was leading to a crowning moment at the grandest stage of them all: Wrestlemania. It seemed a tailor made scenario to have Asuka win her first WWE Championship at the biggest PPV of the year.

Instead she tapped out to the Figure Eight Leglock being applied by a one-armed woman. And to make matters worse, she then grabbed a microphone after the match and put Charlotte over again, saying, "Charlotte was ready for Asuka." Was that supposed to be humbling or humiliating?

The puzzling sequence of events would continue two nights later on Smackdown when Charlotte would be beaten down by the debuting Peyton Royce and Billie Kay and then lose her Smackdown Women's Championship in a matter of seconds to Carmella, as she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract. Apparently Charlotte was tough enough to outlast 15 minutes with Asuka, yet being roughed up by two rookies for a couple of minutes and one glancing kick from Carmella was enough to defeat her.

And if the plan was to have Carmella cash in the Smackdown after 'Mania, why have Charlotte end Asuka's streak? Why have Asuka face Charlotte at all? Why not have Asuka defeat Alexa Bliss instead? It's not that Charlotte wasn't worthy of the honor of ending the streak, nor that Wrestlemania wasn't the right place to do it at. It's the careless nature in which this was handled and the lack of attention to detail that's mind-boggling.

Asuka losing takes away her air of invincibility. Asuka tapping out makes her look weak. Asuka losing while not being champion means she gets no rematch, which means she cannot even avenge her loss to Charlotte. Charlotte losing her title the next night so whimsically makes Asuka look weak in comparison. Charlotte losing her title the next night makes her win against Asuka look arbitrary, makes it look like WWE didn't really care about Asuka's streak or air of invincibility. And that's the biggest sin of all.

Smackdown MVP of the Night: Shinsuke Nakamura

The Shinsuke Nakamura heel turn is off to a phenomenal start. 😏 And his two appearances on last night's Smackdown definitely added momentum to the angle.

First, his brief interview backstage with Renee Young was priceless. He feigned remorse when asked about his dastardly actions the night before, mockingly apologizing for what he did to AJ. With the apology dripping in sarcasm and Nakamura acting like a puppy being scolded for soiling the rug, he then pulled the "no speak english" card when Renee asked him again why he did what he did. The segment was succinct, entertaining and showcased Nakamura's charisma in this new heel role. But most importantly of all, it got heat.

Then Nakamura would intervene in the dream match of a main event between returning Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles. Shinsuke would deliver a Kinshasa first to Bryan and then to Styles after delivering a low blow to AJ. He would then lift AJ's lifeless body to his feet and rack him in the nether region once again. I can't remember the last time a heel was so, well, heelish in the WWE. It certainly was refreshing to see, and I can't wait to see where this feud goes next.

Paige Says Goodbye to WWE

Following the tag match between Sasha Banks, Bayley and Absolution last night, Paige gave a heartfelt goodbye to the WWE Universe, formally announcing her retirement due to neck injury. Here are some of the milestones during Paige's 7 year run with the company:

• 2011 Paige signs with WWE, joining their Florida Championship Wrestling territory.
• In the late summer of 2012 Paige debuts on NXT. She puts together a string of victories and great performances that make her immensely popular with the crowd.
• In the summer of 2013 Paige wins a tournament to become the inaugural NXT Women's Champion. 
• The night after Wrestlemania in 2014 Paige debuts on Raw and wins the Divas Championship from AJ Lee.
• Two months later Paige turns heel and begins a run as the most over female competitor in the company for a year straight.
• At Summerslam 2014 Paige wins her 2nd Divas Championship.
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated names Paige the top female wrestler of 2014.
• Summer 2015 Paige brings up Charlotte and Becky Lynch to the main roster as part of the Revolution storyline.
• In August 2016 Paige suffers an injury that would sideline her from action for over a year. During this time she would be suspended twice for Wellness Policy violations.
• In March 2017 sexual videos and photos of Paige leaked on the internet.
• In November 2017 Paige returns to Raw and creates the faction known as Absolution with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.
• In December 2017 Paige re-injures her neck at a live show forcing a match stoppage.
• The night after Wrestlemania 34 in 2018 Paige formally retires.

5 Things to Look For On Tonight's Raw(April 9, 2018)

Braun Strowman's Partner

Unless Nicholas' parents are going to sign away their kid's life, expect Braun to either relinquish the belts or find a new partner.

Matt & Bray

Are they actually a team? What about Jeff? How will Bray act? Is he new, changed...reincarnated?

Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens Will Show Up

With their loss at 'Mania they were fired from Smackdown last night. So rest assured they will show up to Raw. And what a delight that will be!

What's Next For Asuka?

Who's ready for Asuka? With her loss to Charlotte and her streak over, WWE better have something good lined up to rebuild her as a ferocious destroyer. Just keep her away from Nia and Ronda...until Summerslam.

Who's Returning?

Dean Ambrose? Samoa Joe? Neville? All three? None?! With it being the night after 'Mania, somebody better be returning or debuting.

Wrestlemania 34 Match of the Night: Asuka vs. Charlotte

Last night's Wrestlemania featured a number of matches ranging from decent to good. Ronda Rousey's WWE in-ring debut was easily the most entertaining. But no match outshined the work Charlotte and Asuka put in.

It was a match that was technically proficient while still capturing the emotion and intensity the showdown deserved. From the outset it was clear the two wrestlers shared a chemistry rarely found in the business. With the first moments of the match resulting in counter after counter, the foundation was laid for a great story to be told.

Asuka's time on the WWE main roster has been spent mainly showcasing her skills as well as elevating an already primed Raw Women's Division. In the past 2 months Asuka has put on above average, if not great matches with the likes of Bayley, Sasha and Nia Jax. She won them all, extending her undefeated streak from NXT since arriving in WWE.

It was a bit of a surprise, however, that she chose the Smackdown champion to challenge at Wrestlemania. Charlotte had seemingly defeated all challengers on the Smackdown roster, the latest being Ruby Riott at Fastlane. Yet, fans expected perhaps an inevitable showdown with fellow Four Horsewoman Becky Lynch looming for 'Mania. Instead, following her Royal Rumble win, Asuka chose a title match with Charlotte, and we're glad she did.

Out of the gates the match began at a brisk pace with athletic arm-bar reversals and each woman attempting to take control. Asuka's vicious strikes would begin to wear Charlotte down and eventually injure Charlotte's left arm.

Noticing Charlotte favoring it, Asuka zeroed in on the injured limb, no doubt softening her up for the Asuka Lock or arm-bar. Charlotte would show her resolve, though, and took the fight to Asuka in and out of the ring, culminating in a picture-perfect spear of Asuka on the hard surface outside the ring.

Despite the high impact moves Charlotte would deliver, Asuka would continue to kick out of pins, frustrating the Smackdown champion. Finally, though, Charlotte would apply the Figure-Eight Leg Lock using only one arm to bridge while she pinned the other, bleeding, to her side in an iconic finishing image of the match. Asuka would tap and Charlotte would retain.