Nikki Bella reveals how she prepared for her match against Asuka on WWE Raw

Nikki Bella has been very busy since her return to WWE. The former Divas champion has not stopped appearing on the company's television programming, adding new pages to the book of her professional career. Among them are competing for the first time for the Women's Intercontinental Championship or her first one-on-one match against Asuka.

The WWE Hall of Famer faced off against "The Empress of Tomorrow" in one of the most prominent matches of the latest episode of WWE Raw. A match for which she prepared diligently, as she revealed in the most recent edition of The Nikki & Brie Show.

"I was excited because Asuka is, obviously, one of the best wrestlers in the world. We had never had a match, but she and I were the two finalists of the first Women's Royal Rumble. I thought about how much had happened since then and it was like, 'Wow'. So I spent all Sunday, traveling to Milwaukee, practically watching every Asuka match that exists. It was great. I wanted to pay attention to all the little details about her, how she is fighting now. I wanted to see it all. Literally, I think I watched every match Asuka has had; that was my entire travel Sunday," Bella said.

"With this return, I want to continue evolving and demonstrate that evolution. I wanted to add new things to my repertoire. Jason Jordan, who was our producer, was amazing. I also wrote immediately to Nattie and TJ, separately. I told them, 'Okay, I don't have all the preparation I would like for this match, because it's Asuka and I want to perform at the highest level'. I wanted to be as prepared as I could be. What things can I control right now? I can control the ideas I want to bring to the ring, I can have resources prepared, I can rely on people with more experience to help me prepare for this match in just a day and a half. Gather good ideas, do everything possible physically. I am constantly preparing, training every week, and have an incredible coach I have been working with for several months now," she added.

"I have to say that, after the match, I felt very good. I feel like I am growing, improving, and gaining more confidence every week. I received many compliments and also very positive comments, like: 'Now you know who you are, so go in there with that Nikki Bella confidence. You're back'. This has been the first time I have worked with a Japanese wrestler," she explained.

Despite her defeat against Asuka, Nikki was able to offer a more solid match than the one shown in her title match against Becky Lynch at WWE Clash of Paris, which was pointed out by many fans as the worst match of the night. Meanwhile, a backstage segment with Asuka shortly after their one-on-one hinted that the rivalry between the two women is far from over.