WWE has a great deal of talent under contract and one of the unfortunate realities that comes with that is not everyone can garner a main event role. Moreover, with volume of star power stockpiled on Raw, SmackDown, and NXT’s individual rosters, it’s not even realistic for every deserving talent to consistently get television exposure. Fans have rallied behind certain talents like Liv Morgan and Mandy Rose, who have garnered more screen time recently. Still, Mia Yim stands out as one of the most underutilized women at the company’s disposal.

Mia Yim’s History Of Success In TNA, Japan, And Elsewhere

Fans often laud wrestlers like CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Kevin Owens who worked in a wide array of settings before arriving in the truly national spotlight. Mia Yim has earned her entry into that kind of conversation for a resume that include stints refining her craft and performing at a high level in Japan and Mexico.

In addition to Yim’s international efforts, Yim worked in Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, and other high profile indie and women’s-only promotions. On top of these experiences, she was perhaps most recognizable to US fans for being one of those WWE Superstars to work for TNA earlier their careers. That run, for which she was billed as Jade, included feuding with Maria Kanellis, as well as reigning as Knockouts Champion. This diverse set of experiences situate her as a talent especially well qualified to thrive opposite a range of opponents and in a variety of circumstances. WWE just hasn't shown her in that light.

Mia Yim Had Only One NXT TakeOver Title Shot

NXT TakeOvers have been gold standard special events in recent years, tending to feature excellent matches as WWE’s developmental brand features its very best talents and blow off major storylines. There’s a tradition of great women’s matches at TakeOver, from Sasha Banks defending her title against Becky Lynch and later Bayley, to Asuka’s wars with Bayley, Ember Moon, and others, to Shayna Baszler’s extended run atop the brand.

Mia Yim worked in a reasonably featured role for her time in NXT, including winning a feud against Bianca Belair.

Related: 10 NXT TakeOvers Where The Women Stole The Show

However, Yim only garnered one opportunity to challenged for the Women’s Championship on a TakeOver. She put on a fine showing against reigning champion Baszler, but the choice not to feature her more times, particularly in one-on-one title scenarios, really underscored WWE not appreciating the level of talent she brought to the ring.

Mia Yim’s Run Wth Retribution

One of the higher profile angles that’s most universally agreed to have been a failure in recent years was Retribution. The masked faction demonstrated potential early as they garnered prominent placement on Raw and SmackDown. However, the group’s focus was never clear, and whereas Mustafa Ali’s reveal as the leader of the group might have meant a big push for the talented young star, it instead wound up feeling more like a final strike against them as they grew less and less relevant before disbanding.

Mia Yim—billed as Reckoning—was one of two women featured with the group. Much like her male counterparts, she accomplished next to nothing during the run, doomed to be a supporting cast member for a dead end faction. Had the stable realized its early promise—having a main event level impact—it stands to reason Yim might have at least garnered a PPV Women’s Championshp shot. In practice, her participation in the group felt more like a setback in and of itself than an opportunity.

Mia Yim Has Been Missing From TV

One apparent benefit to the end of the Retribution angle was that Mia Yim fully separated herself from the group. Unlike talented teammates like T-Bar and Mace, she dropped the silly name she’d taken on as part of the group, took off the mask and went out on her own, even going so far as to switch brands to SmackDown.

However, rather than achieving a fresh start, Yim instead all but stopped, scarcely appearing on television at all for a stretch of months. Yim has recently been drafted to the Raw brand, where there may be some reason for optimism about her at least getting a clean slate. However, after multiple false starts so far, it’s difficult for Yim’s fans to get their hopes up.

Mia Yim still likely as not has years left in her career. It’s not too late for WWE to put her to good use. As it stands, though, she is among the most underutilized talents in the company, male or female. The year to come may well tell the tale if she’ll ever have a chance to show what she can do to a WWE audience.