Women’s Royal Rumble 2022 has already been shaped up to be a star-studded fray, to say the least. 21 names featuring current and former WWE Divas & Women’s Champions and the current Impact Knockouts Champions have been confirmed for the match. In addition, a couple of more names have been reported to be surprise entrants during the match. Now it appears a cornerstone figure of Raw programming could be entering the match.
As per the reports, Asuka might be a surprise entrant in the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble 2022 Match. According to Andrew Zarian of The Mat Men podcast, the former Raw Women’s Champion “should be cleared now” for a return to the company. The veteran name has been missing action for the past several months but the exact reason behind the absence is still unknown.
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Asuka has not been seen on WWE TV since the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match that took place, last July. In late August, it was reported by Wrestling Observer that she was not injured but WWE creative didn’t have any plans for her and hence she was simply not being used. It was also noted how Asuka attended one of the tapings for Raw but she left early since now plans were reserved for her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHvqxFCc-0Q
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However. The Empress of Tomorrow took to Twitter to confirm that those reports weren’t true stating. The reason for her absence before a potential Royal Rumble 2022 return was “completely different” from what was being reported as she stated the following,
“Nothing has been revealed. That information is totally wrong. Really different. Completely different. Everything is different. I would like to ask the information provider. Don’t make a fake story.”
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Nothing has been revealed.
That information is totally wrong.
Really different. Completely different. Everything is different.
I would like to ask the information provider. Don't make a fake story. https://t.co/Y2XHDSFLfi— ASUKA / 明日華 (@WWEAsuka) August 22, 2021
Then in September Asuka shared a picture of her in an arm brace, confirming that she had been out of action due to injury. However, it’s not clear when and where she picked up an injury. In earlier 2021, she also underwent dental surgery after Shayna Baszler kicked her in the mouth during a tag team match on the February 22 episode of RAW. Asuka returned to action without much delay but she only “got new teeth” nearly 6 months after the Baszler incident that is during this ongoing hiatus.
A return from Asuka at Royal Rumble 2022 could be much helpful to Raw/Smackdown Women’s division especially given how thin the current female roster is. Bayley and Sasha Banks are also on the injury list and WWE seems to be in desperate need of the winner of the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble in 2018.