Asuka Poised for Heel Turn and Championship Run on RAW
WWE’s creative direction on Monday night took an unexpected turn, and the result may have positioned Asuka for one of the most significant pushes of her career. With a milestone anniversary fast approaching, the Japanese superstar is reportedly set for a renewed championship run and a change in attitude that could reshape the women’s division on RAW.
The shift comes in the wake of Naomi’s sudden removal from her scheduled title defense against IYO SKY. Sources inside WWE confirm that Naomi suffered a legitimate injury, the extent of which has not been publicly disclosed, though speculation suggests it could keep her sidelined for an extended period. Naomi had only recently captured the Women’s World Championship by cashing in her Money in the Bank contract at WWE Evolution on July 13, defeating SKY in dramatic fashion. She successfully defended her title at SummerSlam against both SKY and Rhea Ripley, setting the stage for her next chapter as champion before the setback occurred.
With Naomi unable to compete on RAW, plans were quickly rewritten. Instead of the advertised title match, IYO SKY faced NXT standout Roxanne Perez. That encounter ended with Perez scoring the upset victory, in part due to interference from Asuka and Kairi Sane that backfired spectacularly. The tension between Asuka, Sane, and SKY, remnants of the now-defunct Damage CTRL faction, boiled over after the match. Cameras captured Asuka shoving SKY in a heated backstage exchange before walking away, leaving a stunned Sane behind. Michael Cole summed up the chaos on commentary, calling the situation a complete mess.
Damage CTRL’s implosion has been months in the making. Dakota Kai’s release earlier this year fueled speculation about the group’s future, particularly as both Asuka and Sane spent time recovering from injuries. Since her return in mid-June, Asuka’s interactions with her former allies have been marked by mistrust and tension, and Monday night’s altercation appears to have accelerated a brewing storyline shift.
Reports indicate WWE had been planning a gradual heel turn for Asuka, allowing the character change to unfold over several weeks. However, Naomi’s injury has forced the creative team to fast-track certain elements, moving Asuka into a more prominent position in the title picture sooner than expected. A rumored tag team bout may pit Asuka and Sane against SKY and an unlikely partner, Rhea Ripley, as the next chapter in this evolving rivalry.
Beyond the immediate storyline, there is added significance to Asuka’s current trajectory. Late August and early September mark the tenth anniversary of her arrival in WWE. She first appeared before a WWE crowd at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn on August 22, 2015, with her official signing announced on September 8 during a press conference in Tokyo. Her televised in-ring debut followed on September 23 of that year. Whether WWE will formally acknowledge the milestone on programming remains to be seen, but the timing aligns perfectly with renewed momentum for the veteran star.
If reports prove accurate, Asuka’s upcoming heel turn could coincide with a return to championship gold. With Naomi sidelined and IYO SKY seemingly removed from immediate title contention following her loss to Perez, the path may be clear for The Empress of Tomorrow to once again dominate the RAW women’s division. For fans, the combination of an anniversary celebration and a possible reigniting of Asuka’s most ruthless persona sets the stage for one of the most intriguing developments of the summer.