Backstage News on the Booking of Emma vs. Asuka at WWE TLC

– As previously reported, there were several changes made to the booking of the women’s match on Monday’s Raw. The original idea was for a three-way match with Emma, Sashs Banks, and Nia Jax where the winner would face Asuka. Then it was changed to Emma, Nia Jax, & Alicia Fox vs. Bayley, Sasha Banks, & Dana Brooke where the winner of the fall would get the match with Asuka. Then it was changed again to a five-way match. It was announced as a five-way where the first pin would win, and then Bayley pinned Brooke; Michael Cole then said that it was an elimination match, which was something the announcers were just informed about, but the wrestlers and ref knew. WWE sees Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax as a major program, which is why she was excluded.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Asuka vs. Emma was always the plan for Asuka’s debut, due to the fact that the two worked together and had a high-quality match at NXT Takeover: London 12.16.15. Asuka worked with Bayley and had high-quality matches, and many felt Sasha Banks would be the best opponent for her, but the feeling is that both programs should be built to, while Asuka’s debut should just be about making Asuka look strong.