For those hording toilet paper

While once again combating my lust for her strong sensual / wild animal presence, I was stoked to see Asuka defend the NXT Women’s championship against monster heel, Nia Jax, not far removed from defeating nemesis (and former champ herself), Bayley. It just seems wrong that Bayley isn’t part of The End event at Full Sail U. Like Finn Balor, Bayley is no longer at the top of the ladder of her respected gender, but others deserve to be at the top, too, so those are the breaks.

 

Staying on topic, Asuka look primed and ready for the challenge of defending the belt against such a formidable foe as Jax. Jax has been built as an almost unstoppable force, losing to few, besides Bayley (who needed the win so early in her own title reign, and against such an imposing heel, it solidified her as a deserved champ). All the NXT women fodder trying to establish themselves have been laid to waste by Jax who easily disposes of them with her size and power. Jax is the female equivalent of Rusev, someone who hurts you with every move, including a pinfall. She imposes her will and makes those smaller than her feel every single shot through an amplified degree of pain. She just wants to hurt you. So does Asuka, but she’s dependent on her devastating kicks and submission holds, and her speed is especially beneficial against such a towering figure, Like Jax, who can cut off ring space with mere girth. 

The match was fun and doesn’t overstay its welcome. I think letting us see Jax go through all the power moves, seeing her throwing Asuka into a corner spine-first or landing a resounding spinebuster give us a definitive and proper serving of what makes her such a recognized talent. But what made the match significant to me is how Asuka responds to everything Jax dishes out. Absorbing the punishment and giving in kind, Asuka is tremendous at her role as a gutsy fighter with enough dangerous kicks that work as an equalizer to any kind of foe that threatens her. 

The win is no surprise, but what happens to Jax when she loses such high profile matches despite dominating the NXT roster in regards to her rep. I have to imagine her time will come, but like Becky Lynch currently realizes, being in WWE during a period where there are those just a bit more pushed can be damn near insurmountable. Zayn knows that all too well. Jax screaming out at Asuka like she always does, with the result being a kick to her face several times resulting in the finish highly amused me. It was an act of defiance towards a foe’s own ring behavior, on the receiving end of what that opponent does best which I find quite satisfying…it is the last gasp before her impending doom. Still, I kind of feel bummed for Asuka who seems stuck on the show to come after Shinsuke Nakamura matches.