Asuka Says Vince Hugged Her, Gargano/EVOLVE Update, DIY Reunites

Asuka pulled off one of the biggest wins of her WWE career this past
Sunday when she won a TLC match to become the SmackDown Women’s
Champion. Following some interference from Ronda Rousey, Asuka climbed
up to the top of a ladder and retrieved the title. In a new interview
with Tokyo Sports, “The Empress of Tomorrow” discussed her big
win and Vince McMahon’s reaction to it. Asuka said that she and her
opponents, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, were all congratulated by
the staff when they came to the back after the match ended. She also
said that the WWE Chairman himself hugged her and told her that she had
earned the win. Asuka also announced that her goals are to wrestle Ronda
Rousey at some point in the future, as well as defend her newly-won
championship at WrestleMania 35 in April.
“After I finished the match, everyone backstage welcomed us, clapping.”
Chairman Vince McMahon hugged her directly and said “Congratulations, it
was a good match.” “I was really happy,” said Asuka.” As translated by Reddit’s bravetailor.
EVOLVE Wrestling has been featuring a lot more NXT talent on their
shows lately, and the trend is set to continue as Johnny Gargano will be
returning to the promotion for the upcoming EVOLVE 119 and EVOLVE 120
events. Those shows will be taking place on January 18th and 19th respectively. There is still no word on who the NXT Superstar will be facing at the EVOLVE 119 show, but his opponent for the following night’s event has just been confirmed. WWE announced yesterday that Gargano will be taking on new EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory. The match is set to be a non-title match. Given “Johnny Wrestling’s” outstanding work in NXT this year, and his history with EVOLVE, this may be one return to watch out for.

#JohnnyWrestling is BACK in @WWNEVOLVE on January 19 as @JohnnyGargano is slated to go one-on-one with @austintheory1! https://t.co/Vbhm7hSh9f
— WWE (@WWE) December 19, 2018

Speaking of Johnny Gargano, last night’s episode of NXT turned out to be a shocking edition of the show. Gargano took on former NXT Champion Aleister Black in a Steel Cage match in the main event of NXT as had been promised weeks ago, but it was the ending that managed to get fans talking. None other than NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa interfered in the match to cost Black the win. Ciampa and Gargano even hit their old #DIY double kneestrike finisher on Aleister. Gargano and Ciampa are former NXT Tag Team Champions, but their friendship ended long ago and they had been feuding throughout most of the year on NXT. It will certainly be interesting to see if Gargano’s turn to the dark side ends up resulting in a #DIY reunion.

Are @ProjectCiampa & @JohnnyGargano on the same page?! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/TtEMh6sOuY
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 20, 2018

EXCLUSIVE: You can ask yourself whether @JohnnyGargano & @ProjectCiampa are back together… but that would be the wrong question to ask. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/25HStbM7jj
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) December 20, 2018

atJohnnyGargano
Welcome home.
pic.twitter.com/yBXnnths5s
— BLACKHEART (@ProjectCiampa) December 20, 2018

I win. pic.twitter.com/rA0e8tKpk4
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) December 20, 2018