The first official PPV match in WWE ThunderDome was only one of Asuka’s matches on the SummerSlam card.
Her second opponent accompanied her first to the ring on Sun., Aug. 23 in Orlando. SmackDown Women’s champion did not look happy that she was in her ring gear while Raw Women’s champ Sasha Banks was in a warm-up suit.
As Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton reminded us, Asuka & Bayley are familiar foes. But the Empress has usually gotten the better of the Role Model. That’s certainly how things played out early in this one.
That's that EMPRESS OFFENSE.#SummerSlam @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/PU2FopcP7r
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 23, 2020
The champ was able to regain control by snapping Asuka’s neck over the top rope, and almost ended it when she hit her suplex finisher. But the challenger kicked out, then kicked Bayley’s head off. A pair of hip attacks earned a two count, but a counter on the apron sent the Empress crashing knees-first into the hardest part of the ring.
Leg submissions were Bayley’s focus during the back-and-forth that followed, but it was an Asuka armbar that got Sasha involved, distracting the challenger so the champ could get a rope break.
.@WWEAsuka's heard enough outta @SashaBanksWWE. #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/CEYMzzrgID
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 23, 2020
When The Boss took a hip attack intended for her tag partner, Bayley was able to roll-up Asuka to keep her title.
Sasha sprung, and Bayley was there to help beat down the woman who’s still #1 contender for Banks’ Raw Women’s title.
A little insurance for The BO #SummerSlam @SashaBanksWWE @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/UexYTFGqYd
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 23, 2020
Will that match have a similar happy ending for The Two Woman Power Trip? Or will we see the start of the long-awaiting Bayley/Banks main roster feud?
Get complete SummerSlam results and coverage of every match on the card by clicking here.