Asuka Vacates NXT Women’s Championship, Headed to Main Roster

Asuka vacated the NXT Women’s Championship at tonight’s NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University. This would normally be a spoiler, I guess, but WWE has announced it on their website and on Twitter:

WWE said that Asuka suffered a broken collarbone during her match against Ember Moon at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III and that she would be out for 6-8 weeks, but I’m still sort of skeptical about the injury since it seems a little too convenient as a way to get the title off of her without her ever actually losing. However, they apparently didn’t even mention the injury at the tapings, so I guess it could be legit if they didn’t even bring it up.

At the tapings, a video package of Asuka was played. William Regal then came to the ring and introduced Asuka, who said a few words about NXT. William Regal then said that he was beginning “negotiations” with Raw and SmackDown for Asuka to move to one of those brands, and as a result, she would relinquish her NXT Women’s Championship. The NXT locker room came out and clapped for Asuka and Ember Moon hugged her. Triple H then came down and congratulated Asuka, calling her one of WWE’s greatest champions.

Asuka is the longest reigning WWE Women’s champion in the modern era, holding the title for 510 days as of today. That’s only behind The Fabulous Moolah, who held the NWA World Women’s Championship for what WWE recognizes as 10,170 days (1956-1984)in WWE’s pre-national days.

Here are a few photos from the tapings tonight: