Asuka's WWE career has been a whirlwind of intense matches and memorable moments, and with her recent semi-retirement announcement, it's the perfect time to reflect on some of her most impactful performances. While her top-10 list may be subjective, it's clear that Asuka has left an indelible mark on the WWE universe, and her matches often push the boundaries of what's expected in the ring. Personally, I think that her ability to captivate audiences and deliver high-quality wrestling is what truly sets her apart. What makes this particularly fascinating is the sheer variety of her matches, from intense singles bouts to chaotic triple threats. In my opinion, her career is a testament to the power of innovation and adaptability in professional wrestling. From her early days in NXT to her more recent encounters in SmackDown, Asuka has consistently brought her A-game, and her matches often feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. One thing that immediately stands out is the way she seamlessly transitions between different styles, from the technical prowess of her early NXT matches to the high-flying action of her more recent encounters. What many people don't realize is that her matches are not just about the physicality, but also about the storytelling. If you take a step back and think about it, her matches often feel like a microcosm of the human experience, with all its highs and lows. This raises a deeper question: how does she manage to make every match feel so personal and engaging? A detail that I find especially interesting is the way she incorporates cultural elements into her performances. For instance, her signature 'Asuka Lock' move is a nod to her Japanese heritage, and it adds a layer of authenticity to her character. What this really suggests is that her matches are not just about the physicality, but also about the cultural exchange and the celebration of diversity. Now, let's dive into her top-10 matches, as rated by Dave Meltzer. It's worth noting that these rankings are based on a combination of factors, including the quality of the match, the context in which it took place, and the overall impact it had on the WWE universe. The top-ranked match on this list is Asuka vs. Ember Moon at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III on August 19, 2017. The match went just under 15 minutes and saw Asuka retain her title. Meltzer rated it four and a half stars. Elsewhere on the show, Drew McIntyre retained the NXT title over Bobby Roode, and Aleister Black defeated Hideo Itami, better known as Kenta. The second-ranked match is a triple threat TLC match that Asuka wrestled against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair at the TLC pay-per-view on December 16, 2018. The match headlined the show, went just over 25 minutes, and saw Asuka take the SmackDown Women's title off Becky Lynch. The third-ranked match is the Women's WarGames match from Survivor Series 2023. The match was also rated four and a half stars and saw Asuka team with Bayley, IYO SKY, and Kairi Sane as Damage CTRL in a loss to Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Shotzi. Number four on the list is a singles match between Asuka and Rhea Ripley from the September 22, 2025 edition of WWE Raw. The match headlined the show and saw Ripley win a bout that went just over 17 minutes. Another match between Asuka and Ember Moon, this one from NXT TakeOver: Orlando on April 1, 2017, comes in at number five. The match was rated four and one-quarter stars and saw Asuka retain the NXT Women's title over Moon. Elsewhere on the show, Bobby Roode defended the NXT men's title against Shinsuke Nakamura, and there was also a match between Aleister Black and Andrade. Number six on the list was a triple threat with Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley that took place at WrestleMania Backlash on May 16, 2021. It was rated four and one-quarter stars, went just over 15 minutes, kicked off the PLE, and saw Ripley retain the Raw Women's title. A tag team match between The Kabuki Warriors and IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley from Crown Jewel 2025 on October 11, 2025, comes in at number seven. The match went just under 20 minutes and saw SKY and Ripley come out victorious. The match was rated four and one-quarter stars. Coming in at number eight on the list is a triple threat match between Asuka, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair from Hell in a Cell 2022 on June 5, 2022. The match kicked off the PLE, went 19 minutes, and saw Belair retain the Raw Women's title. Elsewhere on the show, Cody Rhodes wrestled Seth Rollins after tearing his pec. Number nine on the list came just months into Asuka's WWE career at NXT TakeOver: London on December 16, 2015. On that show, Asuka defeated Emma to kick off the pay-per-view in a match rated four stars by Meltzer that went just under 15 minutes. Elsewhere on the show, Finn Balor retained the NXT men's title against Samoa Joe, and Bayley retained the NXT women's title against Nia Jax. Coming in at number 10 on the list is the Last Woman Standing match between Asuka and Nikki Cross from the June 23, 2017 episode of NXT. The match main-evented the show, went 20 minutes and 30 seconds, and saw Asuka retain the NXT Women's title. In conclusion, Asuka's top-10 matches are a testament to her incredible talent and her ability to deliver memorable performances. From her early days in NXT to her more recent encounters in SmackDown, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in the ring. As we reflect on her career, it's clear that her matches are not just about the physicality, but also about the storytelling and the cultural exchange. Her ability to captivate audiences and deliver high-quality wrestling is what truly sets her apart, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of wrestlers.
