The Empress of Tomorrow is out with an injury. [Photos: WWE.com]

WWE star Asuka is a member of Damage CTRL on RAW but could return from injury with a new perspective. She is currently out with a knee injury and was pulled from the Queen of the Ring tournament earlier this year. Her Damage CTRL stablemate, Dakota Kai, replaced the veteran in the tournament but was eliminated in the first round by Lyra Valkyria.

Damage CTRL betrayed Bayley after the veteran won the Women’s Royal Rumble. The Role Model got her revenge by dethroning IYO SKY of the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania XL. Bayley just reached 100 days as champion and Asuka could be watching the success she is having without the heel faction as she recovers from her injury.

The veteran may come back as a fan favorite once again and it could ultimately lead to the demise of Damage CTRL. Dakota Kai recently complained about not getting opportunities as a singles star at WWE Premium Live Events, but followed it up by failing to qualify for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match.

Asuka may believe that the faction has reached its potential and may want to return on her own as a babyface. It is difficult to envision Damage CTRL lasting without a true leader in the group and would require the existing members to step up if the 42-year-old were to leave them behind.

Bill Apter praises WWE Superstar Asuka for her character

Wrestling veteran Bill Apter has praised WWE star Asuka for her personality as a wrestling character.

Speaking on an episode of Sportskeeda’s The Wrestling Time Machine show, Apter spoke highly of the Damage CTRL member as a performer. He noted that the former champion has an incredible personality and claimed she was an excellent worker in the ring as well.

“I think she’s an incredible personality. She’s an excellent worker in the ring, of course. But she brings that ferocity and that very unusual personality, and you don’t have to understand what she’s saying to enjoy what she’s doing,” said Bill Apter.

Kairi Sane and Asuka (The Kabuki Warriors) were dethroned of the Women’s Tag Team Championships by Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair at WWE Backlash in May. The veteran has not competed in a match since the loss at the Premium Live Event in France and only time will tell when she returns to the ring.