[media-credit name=”WWE” align=”alignnone” width=”620″]
[/media-credit]
Japanese wrestling news site enuhito.com sat down with Asuka to discuss her new life in America, returning to Japan with WWE in July, her feelings on the NXT Women’s Championship, training, and more.
On getting acclimated with living in the US: It took 6 months to get used to live in the US. I had some language barrier, but now I can go shopping and go out by myself.
On training at the performance center: Coaches here are teaching me a lot of things I didn’t know in Japan. Basics to advance techniques. Some of it is similar to what I was doing in Japan but rhythm or timing is little different in the States, so how I mix Japanese and American techniques to my style is what I need to work on.
How fans are different in the US versus Japan: How to get the fans in the match is different in Japan and in the States. In Japan fans are quiet at beginning of match, just watching the all the small details in the match, the US fans are on their feet from the start. Although fans were on their feet on my debut match, I still think how I can satisfy WWE universe before every match, I’m still learning.
On being the NXT Women’s Champion: I had less pressure before being NXT champion. I feel more pressure being a champion, but I can perform better under pressure! In fact, I want more pressure! Actual feeling as a champion came little after I won. I still can’t believe I am a champion. My debut match was 5 days after I came to the US. Normally, it takes so long even to come to WWE. And even more to be on TV match. It wasn’t the case for me, so it was unbelievable experience.
On returning to Japan with NXT/WWE in July: I feel honored to show WWE’s Asuka to Japanese WWE universe. My basic haven’t changed, but to some it may seem everything have changed. I want them to compare my WWE match to previous Japanese matches.
To read the full interview, go here.
Who do you want to see Asuka face? Where do you think her career will take her? Sound off in the comments below.
