The Kabuki Warriors' NXT Homecoming
Within the same week of Rob asking me to contribute to his latest Canvas 2 Canvas video about The Kabuki Warriors, I got to watch them make history for the first time, by defending the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at NXT Live in Full Sail. I've been a regular at the NXT tapings since summer 2016, but the October 30th episode of NXT Live will be one forever in my heart. From their respective arrivals in NXT, both Asuka and Kairi Sane have become two of my favorite wrestlers. Watching the American chapters of their respective careers had truly been something special.
Coming Home to NXT
While the inaugural Women's Tag Team Champions and fellow NXT alumnae, Bayley and Sasha Banks expressed their desire to defend the championships on all three WWE brands, The Kabuki Warriors would be the first to make it a reality. NXT's Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai earned the opportunity to represent NXT against the returning champions, but they were given only a week to prepare for their opportunity.
https://youtu.be/_pvwrvZH3-k?t=85
Asuka: "Congratulations!
Kairi: "Congratulations!"
Asuka: "Do you two honestly think you are going to beat us? That's absolutely impossible."
*laughter*
Kairi: "They don't stand a chance!"
Asuka: "We're going to come to NXT to crush you!"
A friend with a last minute cancellation, enabled me to witness the homecoming for The Kabuki Warriors live. Earlier in the show, NXT teased the match with a fantastic video package of The Kabuki Warriors set to "Karate" by Baby Metal. If WWE would use this as their new theme, it would further cement their legacy as a cohesive tag team.
https://twitter.com/WWEAsuka/status/1190761277167042561
https://youtu.be/aJPj4flqF_M
https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1189742920183627776
After their sneaky victory over Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai, The Kabuki Warriors are interviewed backstage by NXT Announcer, Jon Quasto. Lately Asuka's use of green mist to ensure victory has raised many eyebrows.
Asuka: "That was hysterical, right?! Just when they thought they had it in the bag, I nailed her with the mist." *laughs*
Kairi: "(Paige) Isn't necessary. We don't need her."
Asuka: "Not in the least."
https://youtu.be/XAylZg0ZM2Y?t=161
https://youtu.be/cwz7PFgjVjI?t=48
Behind the Full Sail Curtain
During their time in NXT, both Asuka and Kairi were beloved by the NXT fans, so even though they finally 'returned home' as heels, the crowd rallied behind them, welcoming them hope with open arms and rounds of "welcome back" chants. It was great to see them enjoy their exceptionally brief stopover in Orlando. Although they were all business on screen, there was not shortage of heartwarming moments highlighting their return "home."
https://twitter.com/TripleH/status/1189721197627551744?s=20
https://twitter.com/WWEJapan/status/1190114477510807553?s=20
https://youtu.be/onwxNhXzjg0
Spirited Away from NXT
When a Superstar would receive their "call up" to the main roster, there is a feeling akin to a graduation. Asuka relinquished her NXT Women's Championship on August 24, 2017 after a successful, hard-hitting title defense against Ember Moon. This was in part to her snapping her collar bone during the match, and needing time to heal up, prior to her main roster debut at Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) two months later, on October 22nd.
https://youtu.be/Hrsk-wwYHfI
Asuka's post-NXT accolades in WWE include one of the longest undefeated streaks, the first woman to be the Survivor Series Sole Survivor and Women's Royal Rumble winner, Mixed Match Challenge Participant, SmackDown Women's Champion and WWE Women's Tag Team Champion... just to name a few.
https://youtu.be/BKM1CRTqzVk
Kairi and many of the signees from the first Mae Young Classic (fall 2017) would continue elevating the NXT Women's championship in Asuka's absence. Sane would go onto to not only win the inaugural Mae Young Classic, but also represent NXT in the 2018 Royal Rumble, the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal, and close out her first year in NXT, by finally winning the NXT Women's Championship from her fellow Mae Young Classic finalist, Shayna Baszler. Shortly after, she and Bazler would have a rematch at Evolution, the first all women's Pay-Per-View, in which she would lose to Bazler.
https://youtu.be/ezyy1Yi52Ik
Sane started turning heads when she reunited with her fellow Stardom Alumnae and best friend, Io Shirai, forming the Sky Pirates, and putting their names into the conversation once the Women's Tag Team Championships were announced. However, the team would be short-lived as Sane, too, would graduate from NXT on April 11, 2019 joining Asuka on SmackDown Live.
https://youtu.be/6aSsuqhp8lM
NXT consistently provides the WWE with outstanding matches, especially with their women's roster. With NXT Live on USA weekly, I hope that more alumnae drop by and shake things up. I also hope it isn't very long before The Kabuki Warriors bring their power and energy back their Orlando home.
Related Articles
Kairi Sane Joins Asuka on SmackDown Live – some translations of promos for WWE Japan between The Kabuki Warriors
My Perspective on The Kabuki Warriors – an opinion piece about my concerns surrounding the presentation of The Kabuki Warriors debut
Kabuki Warriors Canvas 2 Canvas - My top secret project report for a portrait that will hold very special place in my heart.
The Slow Burn of Green Mist – Subtle clues we may have missed over the last few years
https://youtu.be/CIxOAbAM0-c?t=98