Asuka Reveals Hiding 2021 Injury Pain from Baszler

Professional wrestler Asuka has shared new details about a painful injury she sustained in 2021 during a WWE match against Shayna Baszler, revealing that she initially concealed her suffering to spare her colleague any guilt. The incident, which resurfaced in a recent interview, has drawn online mockery from some fans, prompting responses from both women that underscore their mutual respect amid the sport's inherent risks.

The accident occurred on February 22, 2021, during a tag team match on WWE Raw. Baszler, known for her striking background in mixed martial arts, delivered a kick to Asuka's face that fractured her tooth. Despite the severity, Asuka completed the match and backstage afterward assured Baszler she felt no pain. In an interview with podcaster Chris Van Vliet last month, Baszler recounted the moment, expressing remorse while praising Asuka's resilience. "It was terrible," Baszler said. "She's so badass. She came to the back afterwards and was kind of covering her mouth... But she was like, 'No pain.' Crazy, just soccer kicked her in the face. She was like, 'Yeah, it's fine. Doesn't even hurt.'"

Asuka, however, clarified the reality in a lengthy post on X on...