With Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch watching from ringside, Asuka made her first title defense as SmackDown Women’s Champion against Naomi on the blue brand. The good friends battled with ferocity, pushing each other to their limits. Naomi nearly sealed the victory when she connected with the Rear View after an intense scramble, but Asuka narrowly kicked out. The Empress of Tomorrow withstood one last aerial assault from Naomi and trapped her in the Asuka Lock for the second time in the match to earn the tap-out victory.
Asuka was successful in her first title defense, but Becky and Charlotte were, quite literally, breathing down on her reign.