Anatomy of a Match - Emma vs. Asuka - NXT Takeover London

The Anatomy of a Match

I love the idea of picking a match I absolutely loved and breaking down all the parts of it that make it powerful or just make it work.  And I think it’s fitting that the first match I start off with is two women that I don’t feel like are getting enough attention.  I have to say that I’ve watched this match more than I’ve watched any other from the women’s division of NXT.  And as much as I love Becky, Sasha, Charlotte, and Bayley, I actually enjoyed this match more.  And I’ll fill in why I think this match worked so well.

Match 1: NXT Takeover: London

Emma (with Dana Brooke) vs. Asuka

Asuka makes her way to the ring to a thunderous ovation.  The thing that works about Asuka is she doesn’t even have to say anything, really. The crowd is into her, she has this sweet and innocent look about her face, but when you watch her wrestle, she’s the real deal.  I have no doubt that she could really hurt someone if she put her mind to it.  And that’s why she’s such a joy to watch.  Her movements are fluid, her character is solid, and she understands the psychology that goes into making a great match.  From the second her music hits, the crowd is into her and she walked to the ring with that disarming mask on and when she strips the mask off and coyly bites the edge, she’s letting a little cuteness come through, but everyone knows that part of her is an act.  She’s a cold blooded ring master and her opponent is going to pay.

And speaking of her opponent, when Emma was on the main roster, I don’t think they really knew what to do with her.  The made her a comedy act, which, in my opinion, really didn’t work.  Instead, put her with Dana Brooke, turn up her arrogance and conceit and Emma sells her self.  And Dana should be given some credit here, too.  You dislike the both of them so much you can’t wait until they get what’s coming to them.  As Emma makes her way to the ring, there are boos, as there should be for a heel.  Not to mention that Emma also got one over on Asuka a few weeks before and Dana and Emma have been making Asuka feel as unwelcome as possible.

Emma gets in the ring, points at herself, and tells Asuka that it’s all about her.

And here’s where things get interesting.  I’ve heard people complain about the audience in London.  But I actually loved it!  I would love to see the people in the states get so into these matches that they chant stuff.  And my favorite chant of the night was “Asuka’s gonna kill you”.  It shows the respect that they have for Asuka and the fact that no one really gave Emma a fair shake.

Asuka’s reaction to this chant, though, is my favorite.  She starts dancing to it, and cheering them on.  She’s selling the hell out of being a bad ass.  Her cheeky smile, her flashy ring attire, all hiding the vicious ass kicker underneath.

You can tell from the first lock up with Emma and Asuka that this match is going to be fierce.  Before that lock up even happens, though, Asuka tries a round house kick to Emma’s face.  Good ring presence on both ladies’ parts as Emma didn’t get kicked in the face.  The exchange they have a first with the multiple arm holds and such a great flurry of movement.  Cory Graves on commentary is stellar in this match.  He’s actually the best.  And calling the moves and noting the skill of Asuka.  The arm bar that Asuka put Emma in looks fierce.  The many screams that Asuka releases, whether its offense or defense she’s one, she’s amazing.

But nothing is to take away from how great Emma is in this match.  She’s not laying down and just taking punishment.  She gets some really great offense in, she actually made me believe that she could possibly win this.  And this match and Emma were a much better foil to Asuka than Dana Brooke.  Emma shows a vicious streak, and her skill is not to be denied.  They both know how to tell a compelling story, and the story is that no matter what Emma and Dana try to level at Asuka, she’s able to counter it and come out stronger.

Now, when Dana throws in the belt and Asuka is caught with it, I just knew it was over and she was going to be disqualified.  However, they managed to get through that part and have a truly satisfying ending with Dana getting sent away and Asuka defeating Emma fair and square.  It was one of the few satisfying matches I saw on this card, and I think it was by far the best on the entire show.

These women started the show and made it truly hard for anyone to follow it.  The crowd was into it the whole time, and it was a great psychological match as well as a great physical match.  They both had great offense and killed it.  I can still sit, months after this happened, and watch this match. 

photocredit to dailyddt.com