Asuka will remain at the top of the women’s division on the blue branded main roster WWE show.
She successfully retained the Women’s SmackDown Title over former champion Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event that was broadcasted to the world on the WWE Network by submission.
STILL THE EMPRESS of #SDLive.@WWEAsuka just made @BeckyLynchWWE TAP OUT to kick off #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/uRqGaUGRIa
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2019
CRASH AND BURN…ALL for the sake of walking out #SDLive #WomensChampion!#RoyalRumble @WWEAsuka @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/IYhFSWwdep
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 28, 2019
#AsukaLock on the ropes? #DisArmHer within the turnbuckles?
Serious damage is being done as @WWEAsuka & @BeckyLynchWWE clash for the #SmackDown #WomensTitle! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/odiyVBLOOL
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2019
? SUPER BEXPLODER ?#RoyalRumble @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/YrrAQ6G0cM
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2019
Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view in San Antonio, Texas on September 16, 2018 to win the title, which marked her second reign as champion. However, she lost it just last month at the TLC pay-per-view from San Jose, California when the former NXT Women’s Champion beat Lynch and Charlotte Flair in the first ever Women’s TLC Match
It will be interesting to see who will next be in line for an opportunity to challenge Asuka for the strap at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event takes place on February 17, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
What are your thoughts on Asuka retaining the title and this title change? Was it the right time to do this by WWE? Sound off in the comment section.