So much for WWE's slow season, as the most recent episode of Raw set up significant character changes for both Alexa Bliss and Asuka. The December 12 edition of the show featured a lot of setups, from Bobby Lashley's firing to the news that Matt Riddle would be off television for six weeks and Kevin Owens delivering a stunner to Elias; there were a lot of threads being woven here. Perhaps the most significant developments came in the women's division, though, with both Bliss and Asuka teasing on-screen shifts that have serious ramifications for the women's division moving forward.When Triple H took over creative control, he made his presence felt almost immediately. He shook up the red brand's women's roster during SummerSlam, reintroducing Bayley as a heel alongside IYO SKY and Dakota Kai. Rhea Ripley has also received a major push as a championship contender since she joined Judgment Day. However, that premium live event was on July 30, and those major shakeups now require further development. It won't all happen in one fell swoop—probably?—but this week's Raw set two major players up for dramatic shifts in character somewhere down the line.
Asuka Gets A Stripped Down Look & New(ish) Demeanor On Raw
Asuka wrestled a match against Rhea Ripley on Raw, and the commentators noted that the Empress of Tomorrow had been pretty up and down lately. Her usual over-the-top and goofy babyface act was entirely gone for this bout, and she walked to the ring without her usual makeup. Commentary repeatedly pointed out that she had a more severe look about her, which was clear to fans at home. Asuka worked a strong style akin to her NXT days, throwing out stiff strikes and quick combinations.
While wrestling for the black and gold NXT, Asuka established herself as an absolute killer. She went on a Goldberg-Esque run through the women's division in developmental, with an undefeated streak that lasted nearly two and a half years. She eventually lost to Charlotte Flair on the main roster, and the bloom came off the rose a bit for Asuka. She's still been a consistent threat and has won championships, but she hasn't been portrayed as a fearsome buzzsaw in quite some time. After several days of Asuka posting cryptic photos to her Twitter account, that started to change on Monday night. Those tweets were clearly meant to send a message, as commentary mentioned them several times.
Asuka still lost the match due to Judgment Day's numbers advantage, which could push her further down the rabbit hole. Some have speculated that the 41-year-old could drift closer to the "Murder Clown" character she portrayed in Japan. The above tweet from December 7 indicates this as a possibility. The mist she used on Mysterio wasn't pink; her calling card as Kana, but it was a lighter green than she used in the past. There are a lot of signs pointing to a more vicious version of Asuka coming to the surface on Raw in the coming weeks. However, she's not the only one teasing a big character change.
Raw Teases Payoff Of Alex Bliss & Bray Wyatt Connection
Ever since Bray Wyatt made his return to SmackDown, WWE fans have wondered if Alexa Bliss would be looped back into his storyline. The two are on separate brands, but over the last several weeks, several telltale signs of Wyatt—or perhaps Uncle Howdy—have appeared during segments involving Alexa Bliss. His upside-down moth symbol has been displayed on monitors around Alexa, the most prominent example occurring this week on Raw.
After becoming the No. 1 contender for the Women's Championship, Bianca Belair entered the ring to congratulate Bliss. The EST extended her hand for Alexa to shake, and after an eerie hesitation, Bliss opened her arms up for a hug instead. While the two embraced, Wyatt's symbol flashed on the Jumbotron, and Bliss immediately set Belair up for the Sister Abigail finisher. She snapped out of it before delivering the move, but this is the most unambiguous indication that WWE intends to connect Bliss and Wyatt again.
The two never really got a satisfying end to their storyline before Bray Wyatt's release. It was unfortunate at the time, but it left the door open for WWE to do something creative with it now. Bliss' walk to the dark side is even more interesting, considering that Wyatt is still portrayed as a face on the blue brand. Upon his return at Extreme Rules, Wyatt was listed internally as a babyface. He's been acting as such in his feud with LA Knight. Bliss drilling Belair with a finishing move in the middle of the ring would have turned her heel, however. This creates an exciting dynamic between Bliss and Wyatt. WWE continues to keep things fresh, with Triple H holding the book. These recent developments for Alexa Bliss and Asuka are just the most recent examples of Raw remaining fluid and fun.