WWE Raw: Asuka's Heel Turn Accelerated Due to Champion's Injury

Unexpected Changes on WWE Raw

On August 11, WWE Raw was set to feature a championship match for the Women’s World Title. However, the match was canceled after it was revealed that the champion, Naomi, was unable to compete due to an undisclosed injury.

Fans were taken aback when they learned that the anticipated title bout between Naomi and challenger IYO SKY would not happen, as Naomi had not been medically cleared. The specifics surrounding her condition remain unclear, as WWE has not provided further details.

This unexpected alteration not only led to a reshuffling of the WWE Raw card but also prompted a shift in creative direction. Plans for Asuka, initially scheduled to unfold later, were expedited. Current reports indicate that the former multi-time champion is on the verge of adopting a heel character.

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Asuka's Character Transition and Feud with IYO SKY

During WWE Raw, viewers witnessed a confrontation between Asuka and SKY after SKY's defeat to Roxanne Perez. Following the match, Asuka walked away from SKY, signaling the beginning of her character transformation. Reports suggest that there were always plans for Asuka to turn against her Damage CTRL teammate.

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Originally, this heel turn was intended to be a gradual storyline, with Asuka and SKY's fallout occurring at a later date. However, due to Naomi's absence, the decision was made to accelerate this plot twist, which unfolded during this week's WWE Raw.

Additionally, the singles match between SKY and Perez was reportedly a last-minute arrangement, as WWE had considered a tag match featuring Perez teaming with Raquel Rodriguez against SKY and Rhea Ripley after Naomi's withdrawal. The rationale behind opting for a singles match instead remains uncertain.