SmackDown Women’s championship match
Bayley’s held the blue belt for a long time. But it’s been a while since she’s faced a challenger like Asuka. And The Empress has always had her number.
The Road to SummerSlam
Asuka already had a rematch against Raw Women’s champion Sasha Banks lined up for the PPV tonight (Sun., Aug. 23) when she showed up unexpectedly in Stephanie McMahon’s Triple Brand Battle Royal for a SmackDown Women’s title shot.
The Role Model shouldn’t be surprised Asuka’s gunning for her belt, too. It was Bayley’s attack on the departing Kairi Sane that cost the Japanese Superstar the red brand strap.
Even if Asuka wasn’t highly motivated to get revenge against Bayley, there’s almost nobody the champ would less like to face. Not only did the Empress win her SummerSlam shot at The Boss by beating her tag partner, but Asuka has long been a thorn in Bayley’s side. Their rivalry goes back to NXT, where guess who ended the then-Hugster’s title reign?
To make matters worse, Sasha won a Beat The Clock challenge on the go home edition of SmackDown, so Bayley has to face Asuka first in the Thunderdome. A fresh and angry Kabuki Warrior? Yeesh...
What’s at stake
A 300+ day title reign. The “Dos Straps” nickname. The well-being of her partnership with Sasha. As Bayley herself might say, “So much, dude!”
Next thing you know, Asuka will grab continue to tag with Shayna Baszler and go after the Women’s Tag belts at Payback next Sunday.
Don’t tell Bayley I gave her that idea.