Why did Asuka sign with NXT?

[Sephiroth]

With all the debate about the possibility of AJ Styles going to NXT, I figured this was worth considering. While I don't know what kind of numbers she was pulling in Japan, I can't help but imagine that, much like in the case of AJ, she was probably pulling pretty big bank and in going to NXT she probably took a pay cut. And bare in mind that she wasn't just making money from wrestling-she is also a video game designer and owned a string of beauty parlors in Japan. So one can argue that it made little sense for her to turn her life upside down by relocating to the other side of the planet, away from her family and friends-and all to make less money.

But my guess is that she decided to make such a leap BECAUSE she pulled pretty big bank from wrestling in Japan and all her side projects. She is at a point where, at a young age, money is now a requirement rather than a priority-aka she's got enough moolah to never have to worry where her next meal will come from for the rest of her life. She can officially do pretty much whatever she pleases without too much concern of going broke. And having achieved pretty much all there was for her to do in joshi, she decided it was time to conquer new horizons.

Its probably also worth mentioning that out of all the superstars of joshi, she was definitely the one who made the most sense from WWE's perspective. She's toured the US multiple times already, so she speaks decent English and knows how matches are typically paced as opposed to in Japan. And the timing of her debut was obviously deliberate, with her star power helping to fill the gaps in NXT's women's division following the "divas revolution" call ups. Based on the reception thus far, its working out.

[Surfer Sandman]

I don't know why but if you told me 10 years ago that NXT would exist and they'd sign the best wrestlers in the world, I would have scoffed at you.

[Professor Chaos]

It's depressing that so many people are younger than me and financially set for life. I got a college degree, 15 years management experience, and am a few months away from being broke and sleeping on a park bench if I can't land a decent job. Lost my old job because working my way up for 15 years was a no no and newbies were jealous of what I made so I had to be let go.

[auph10imitated]

Because its working for WWE, the biggest wrestling company in the world. Not sure how true it is but I heard most Japanese workers have dreams of making it to WWE believe it or not.

[Hobby Drifter]

Jan 5, 2016 9:11:44 GMT -5 auph10imitated said:

Because its working for WWE, the biggest wrestling company in the world. Not sure how true it is but I heard most Japanese workers have dreams of making it to WWE believe it or not.

Young wrestlers these days have figured out what Virgil did decades ago. Once you've made it to the big show (no, not Paul Wight), you can open the doors to all sorts of other financial opportunities after you've left. Even if it's just signing your name for $10 a pop to nostalgic fans.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

[Crappler El 0 M]

career opportunities. she wants to make a living.

[Heinz Doofenschmirtz]

Also, it's been shown that your level of happiness does not go up with more money. You tend to peak at between 75-85,000 dollars annually. She may have got a contract that made her comfortable and is now working on job satisfaction.

People have to get over this idea that the only way to be judged a success in any field is the amount of money you make.

[toodarkmark]

Because, as wrestler nowdays, you must build your brand. A run in NXT, and WWE, helps to build your brand if they don't bury you. It helps Joe, helps AJ, helps Asuka. You can eat for decades with a proper WWE run. There is always a risk that they ruin your career, bury you, or your brand gets tarnished. But even a year or two in WWE can have you be the big graphic on an indie show flyer and you can demand a higher price.

[Sephiroth]

Jan 5, 2016 9:57:52 GMT -5 Heinz Doofenschmirtz said:

Also, it's been shown that your level of happiness does not go up with more money. You tend to peak at between 75-85,000 dollars annually. She may have got a contract that made her comfortable and is now working on job satisfaction.

People have to get over this idea that the only way to be judged a success in any field is the amount of money you make.

This is why I honestly believe AJ Styles will be in NXT some time this year. AJ has stressed in interviews that his primary goal is to make enough money to look after his family-and if the numbers I have heard him pulling in Japan are true, then I would say mission accomplished. He pretty much never has to worry about keeping a roof over his kid's heads for the rest their lives. And even if he were taking a pay cut to go to NXT, its not like he would be destitute by any means-he'd still be pulling in plenty of $$$, even if not as much as he was making in Japan. And if he truly intends to retire at 40, them there is no way that being able to say he had worked in WWE and really had done it all in his career isn't a huge temptation. And just like with Asuka, the timing is pretty much perfect: if Zayne and Balor are both due to be called up this year, AJ's star power would definitely help fill the gaps they would leave behind.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Pretty sure due to this exposure even if Asuka got released for some ungodly reason, her Indy Bookings would SPIKE especially in the states.

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Some people actually have motivation and drive. Unlike Daniel Bryan they use that to get to the big time and the WWE.

[TheFadedSpade]

Jan 5, 2016 8:55:54 GMT -5 Professor Chaos said:

It's depressing that so many people are younger than me and financially set for life. I got a college degree, 15 years management experience, and am a few months away from being broke and sleeping on a park bench if I can't land a decent job. Lost my old job because working my way up for 15 years was a no no and newbies were jealous of what I made so I had to be let go.

FeelsBadMan

[Reflecto]

Keep in mind as well, Asuka was already a rare breed in joshi as it was just by virtue of being 34 years old. Traditionally, joshi wrestlers' career arcs tend to start in their teens and retire by age 30, with that being an expectation for Japanese fans.

Even if Asuka started late and finished later, the opportunities would probably start dwindling for her in Japan anyways- as American fans accept older women's wrestlers now, Japan's conservative nature means that it's almost expected to retire eventually anyways.

[Mid-Carder]

I would take a pay cut to be doing something I love somewhere I could progress.

[Deleted]

Jan 5, 2016 9:51:04 GMT -5 YAKMAN is ICHIBAN said:

Oh shit, this belongs in that ultimate gif thread. 5 stars.

[Deleted]

Exposure.

NXT is the best place in America TV to get the most eyes on you as far as being a female wrestler. Even if she took a pay cut to be there, she can either move up to the main roster or up her rates on the indies/internationally for having been a star in NXT + Joshi superstar.

[foxylady79]

Jan 5, 2016 9:57:52 GMT -5 Heinz Doofenschmirtz said:

Also, it's been shown that your level of happiness does not go up with more money. You tend to peak at between 75-85,000 dollars annually. She may have got a contract that made her comfortable and is now working on job satisfaction.

People have to get over this idea that the only way to be judged a success in any field is the amount of money you make.

Does that factor in cost of living? I would imagine 75,000 in Bumblef***- population 10,000 is different than 75,000 in San Francisco or New York City.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

It could also depend on whether her being an NXT-only star is something that will be happening in the short term until certain different people are in control and can start moving up people they said they weren't going to. Or, if she was srictly hired with everyone intending only to use her in NXT, whether or not she can prove so over and push so far that she hopes to prove them wrong and get a good main roster run out of it. Both are possible, and both are definite reasons why it might not be a bad idea to sign on as a cornerstone of NXT.

[________ has left the building]

Bucket list goal. Asuka was planning to call it quits career wise in a few years due to her getting bored with the Joshi scene. WWE asked if she wanted to join up and like a lot of wrestlers worldwide, it is a dream goal to go to WWE. So she made the move.