Asuka will compete for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WWE TLC on December 16. The Empress of Tomorrow will face off against Charlotte Flair and current champion Becky Lynch in the first ever women’s Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.

This match is yet another step forward for the women’s division in WWE. Over the past couple of years, the company has made great strides for women’s wrestling and those strides are giving the female Superstars more spotlight than ever before. But regardless of how important this match is, the question is what needs to happen for Asuka?

Asuka’s rise in WWE would not have been possible were it not for the Women’s Evolution. Indeed if she had come along 10 years ago, she would likely have been dismissed as just a Japanese wrestler with an odd personality. But she was given a platform on which to shine and that’s due to the progress women have made in the company.

Asuka is not presented as Jimmy Wang Yang or Funaki. She is the real deal and her character is treated with respect. She’s not a comedy act and she shouldn’t be. But even though she’s in a good spot in Vince McMahon’s company, she’s not exactly in a great spot. 

It does seem as though Asuka has lost some serious momentum over the past several months. Many fans would likely argue that she’s never been given what she needs since she got to the main roster. She was a beast in NXT. She was also the most dominant female star in the brand’s history.

But she has yet to reach that elite level on the main roster. Some point to her loss at WrestleMania 34 as the moment when her career derailed and perhaps that’s true. After all, Asuka’s mystique was still very much in effect when she came into her match with then- Women’s champion Charlotte. But after Asuka lost? Not so much.

It seemed that when her undefeated streak ended, her spotlight dimmed. The streak meant more to Asuka’s career than anyone really knew and that has been evident in the months following her loss. She’s not been the same and everyone knows it.

Of course if a Superstar stays in WWE long enough, then she will experience her share of hills and valleys. It’s the ebb and flow of WWE and virtually everyone must go through it at some point. No one stays on top forever. The moment always comes that the downtrend happens. That’s when the fans see what the star is truly made of and that’s also when the company decides how to proceed with that star.

This is where Asuka is right now. She’s had her fair share of false starts and even though she’s not exactly hit rock bottom, she does know what it’s like to just float along with no direction. But if anyone in WWE can swim rather than sink, it’s The Empress of Tomorrow.

This is where Asuka’s personality comes into play. She’s unique, she’s a bit eccentric but she’s always intense. Asuka brings a level of believability to her character and to her performance that few others can. She seems dangerous, as if she’s physically capable of destroying any woman that gets in her way. She hits hard and she takes as good as she gets.

More importantly, she looks and acts like a star. Much like Shinsuke Nakamura, who has also seen his share of ups and downs, Asuka’s swagger is the thing that saves her. It keeps her relevant. Even if she were just mediocre in the ring, her persona would still keep her on the minds of fans. 

In fact it is the fans that have demanded she return to main event form. The live crowds are cheering for Asuka in moments when WWE is obviously not using her. This was true on the night that Lynch made her decision about who would take her place against Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series. Becky settled on Charlotte but the fans obviously chose Asuka. The WWE faithful wants Asuka to do well. But how well can they expect her to do at TLC?

Therein lays the problem. Becky Lynch is red hot and she’s probably not dropping her title any time soon. Charlotte Flair is hot again thanks to her heel turn against Rousey. Neither woman stands to lose any ground at TLC, despite the outcome. But if Asuka is to gain any ground, does that mean she has to win?

How does WWE protect her and satisfy the fans at the same time? At this point, it could very well be that fans will not give up on her if she doesn’t win the gold at TLC. The match itself should have enough high spots and Asuka should have her fair share of them, to keep the fans buzzing long after it’s over. But is that enough to carry Asuka on to the next step?

For that matter, what is the next step for Asuka? If the WWE fanbase determines value based upon how well a talent does when faced with a challenge, then Asuka will always be in good shape. She could work whoever, wherever on the card and it won’t matter. But if her value is based on her ability to win high profile main events when it counts, then she may be in for a rough road ahead.

The fact is that Asuka is ready. She’s more prepared for a run on top than she was before her undefeated streak ended. Whether or not WWE will give it to her at TLC is unknown. But whether or not the fans want it, is not in question.

What do you think? Let us know on social media @theCHAIRSHOTcom and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!