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Post by greyfmdan on Mar 15, 2019 18:43:01 GMT -5
So, I’m close enough to Dayton that I was getting the local ads for this past week’s Smackdown. Interestingly, the most prominently featured star in the ad was Asuka.
It wasn’t a case of, “Here are our B-tier stars, and Asuka’s the best of the bunch”... Charlotte, Becky, Bryan, & AJ all had prominent spots in the ad. (Though oddly, I don’t recall seeing any of New Day.) But Asuka was by far the most visible. It sort of reminded me of Austin’s prominence in the Raw ‘97 junkyard intro over at-the-time more established stars.
This looked like a canned ad where they can plug in whatever city SDL is running, so I imagine the ad is running in other markets as well.
Also, someone mentioned in the “Lack of Options” thread that Asuka is one of four stars featured in the WM apparel Facebook ad.
WWE clearly seems to view Asuka as a marketable act. And, while she’s quite attractive, it’s always seemed that they value her as a high-level wrestler, more than just for her looks.
But there seems to be a disconnect when it comes to her booking. Granted, she’s kayfabe dominated the SDL women’s division in recent months. But with all the priority going to Becky/Charlotte/Ronda, and to a lesser extent the women’s tag titles, Asuka and the rest of the SDL women’s scene have been pushed to the back burner. It seems odd that they’d shove her booking & TV to the back burner, though, while giving her more marketing exposure.
Is it simply a thing where everyone but Vince “gets” Asuka, and Vince is just more of a micromanager over the booking department than the marketing department?
Or is it possible that this added marketing exposure is a signal that she’ll be given a more prominent TV role once the BCR feud wraps up?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2019 18:47:47 GMT -5
She's probably second only to Becky in overness when it comes to the women, which is really impresssive considering what they've done with her since she's gone to the main roster.
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Post by greyfmdan on Mar 15, 2019 18:54:23 GMT -5
She's probably second only to Becky in overness when it comes to the women, which is really impresssive considering what they've done with her since she's gone to the main roster. Oh yeah, I think she’s probably in the top 2 or 3 in terms of overness. And I’m glad WWE’s marketing folks seem to be figuring that out. But as you alluded to, it doesn’t really match up with her presence on TV (or lack thereof), at least in recent weeks. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2019 18:56:06 GMT -5
She's probably second only to Becky in overness when it comes to the women, which is really impresssive considering what they've done with her since she's gone to the main roster. Oh yeah, I think she’s probably in the top 2 or 3 in terms of overness. And I’m glad WWE’s marketing folks seem to be figuring that out. But as you alluded to, it doesn’t really match up with her presence on TV (or lack thereof), at least in recent weeks. I know most of us have fantasy booked Becky vs. Shayna for after WM, but I'm starting to think they need to put Shayna on SD. Asuka just has no legitimate threats to her right now. |
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Post by Surfer Sandman on Mar 15, 2019 19:04:20 GMT -5
Oh yeah, I think she’s probably in the top 2 or 3 in terms of overness. And I’m glad WWE’s marketing folks seem to be figuring that out. But as you alluded to, it doesn’t really match up with her presence on TV (or lack thereof), at least in recent weeks. I know most of us have fantasy booked Becky vs. Shayna for after WM, but I'm starting to think they need to put Shayna on SD. Asuka just has no legitimate threats to her right now. I hated that Mandy Rose got a fluke victory over her. Mandy is too green and didn't she drop Asuka on her head accidentally at a house show? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2019 19:07:32 GMT -5
I know most of us have fantasy booked Becky vs. Shayna for after WM, but I'm starting to think they need to put Shayna on SD. Asuka just has no legitimate threats to her right now. I hated that Mandy Rose got a fluke victory over her. Mandy is too green and didn't she drop Asuka on her head accidentally at a house show? Think it was simply a freak accident, but yeah, I just can't really buy Mandy and Sonya against her as much as I like them. I feel the same way about The IIconics, Carmella who's pretty much just a valet now and shouldn't have even beaten her twice when she was champ, Zelina, salty Lana and Naomi (not including Charlotte right now since she's involved with the Raw title). Naomi vs. Asuka would be a good one month program, but that's all. |
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Post by Surfer Sandman on Mar 15, 2019 19:10:13 GMT -5
I hated that Mandy Rose got a fluke victory over her. Mandy is too green and didn't she drop Asuka on her head accidentally at a house show? Think it was simply a freak accident, but yeah, I just can't really buy Mandy and Sonya against her as much as I like them. I feel the same way about The IIconics, Carmella who's pretty much just a valet now and shouldn't have beaten her twice when she was champ, Zelina and salty Lana. That leaves Naomi if we're not including Charlotte right now since she's involved with the Raw title. Naomi vs. Asuka would be a decent little program for a month, but that's all. Shayna and Kairi should get called up soon. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2019 19:13:59 GMT -5
Think it was simply a freak accident, but yeah, I just can't really buy Mandy and Sonya against her as much as I like them. I feel the same way about The IIconics, Carmella who's pretty much just a valet now and shouldn't have beaten her twice when she was champ, Zelina and salty Lana. That leaves Naomi if we're not including Charlotte right now since she's involved with the Raw title. Naomi vs. Asuka would be a decent little program for a month, but that's all. Shayna and Kairi should get called up soon. I forgot Nikki Cross, lol. Easy thing to do these days. I hate to say it, but I'd also move Nia to SD. She and Asuka have always had good chemistry. |
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Post by King Devitt and the Woke Mob on Mar 15, 2019 19:34:21 GMT -5
Shayna and Kairi should get called up soon. I forgot Nikki Cross, lol. Easy thing to do these days. I hate to say it, but I'd also move Nia to SD. She and Asuka have always had good chemistry. Holy crap I forgot about Nikki too! That'd be a great WM match, just have Cross lose her mind (per usual) and keep attacking Asuka and laying her out until Asuka lays down the challenge for her title at Mania. And they also have good chemistry as I recall. It'd be MILES better than if they do that triple threat with Sonya and Mandy. |
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