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Asuka is, for some reason, on commentary during Rey Mysterio and Andrade's match. She's asked about interfering in Alexa and Nikki's match and if she's willing to defend the tag team championship at WrestleMania. She replies only in Japanese.
Mar 24, 2024
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Tom Phillips mentions, in a way, WrestleMania 36's tag line: "This year is the only year that's too big for two nights." LOL. The Kabuki Warriors vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross is set for WrestleMania.
This match itself starts with Asuka asking Kayden who she is before saying her signature phrase "No one is ready for Asuka." The match ends with Asuka hitting a knee on Kayden before submitting her in the Asuka Lock. Asuka goes to the Raw announce desk (still, for the moment, located near the entrance ramp), grabs a headphone set, and calls out Nikki and Alexa in Japanese.
Mar 26, 2024
Nikki Cross is on commentary during the match. If she's not commenting on the match itself she's scaring Michael Cole.
Asuka and Alexa trade barbs before the match. On commentary Nikki says Alexa and she believe the Kabuki Warriors are hiding on Raw. Before the commercial break Nikki and Alexa collectively mock Asuka until Asuka drives Alexa into ring stairs.
Later Alexa dives Asuka's shoulder into the outside apron. After Asuka is driven into a ring side it leaves Asuka eventually open to succumb to a DDT.
Mar 25, 2024
A minor thing to mention but since I'm mentioning announcers in this post I should say Vic Joseph was replaced by Tom Phillips on the Raw announce desk in the previous episode. Why? I couldn't honestly tell you. Later in the year Vic reappeared on the now defunct 205 Live. Of course now (as of this post) he's the lead announcer for NXT. Tom Phillips would eventually be released by WWE and now does commentary for TNA Wrestling.
During the match Tom suggests Asuka is "frustrated" after losing to Becky at the Royal Rumble. She hangs onto the ropes at one point in the match. She rolls out of the ring at another point. Nothing she does is enough to overcome Natalya. Asuka manages to escape Natalya's sharpshooter. Kairi is able to provide a distraction, allowing Asuka to put Natalya in the Asuka Lock and win. Phillips suggests this match felt "personal" to Asuka.
Mar 19, 2024
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Writers questioned Asuka's poison mist gimmick after it appeared in WWE at Hell in a Cell. A writer from Wrestleview called the gimmick "stereotypical." The Ringer blamed the mist gimmick on...Paul Heyman. But here is a video from a WrestleMania weekend where Asuka talks about her admiration for The Great Muta and her desire to do a poison mist gimmick in WWE about a year and a half before she started doing it.
Mar 2, 2024
Since all of this is not on YouTube.
On this episode of SmackDown the Tokyo tour dates are recapped, complete with footage of the Kabuki Warriors winning against the IIconics in Tokyo.
A backstage segment (linked here) follows where Paige and the Kabuki Warriors confront the IIconics for the title shot they were promised. The IIconics delay the title match. The segment ends with face manager Paige slapping Billie Kay.
Feb 27, 2024
IIconics (champions) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Kabuki Warriors.
* Mandy Rose rolls up Billie Kay for a pin, eliminating the IIconics.
* Asuka submits Rose with the Asuka Lock, eliminating Rose and Deville.
* Nikki pushes Kairi off the turnbuckle, leaving her susceptible to a punch (forearm?) by Bliss as Paige watches. Bliss hits Twisted Bliss, win titles.
Feb 28, 2024