Not taking kindly to Becky Lynch referring to her as the “third wheel” in the WrestleMania main event, Charlotte Flair challenged Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Championship on SmackDown LIVE, an impromptu title matchup that left everyone guessing as to how it came together.
The two rivals threw down with ferocity, with Charlotte relying on brute force to hold down The Empress of Tomorrow. However, Asuka fired back with a devastating barrage of kicks to the head and midsection. The Queen narrowly stayed alive several times, fighting her way out of the Asuka Lock even after Asuka blocked Charlotte’s signature moonsault. Asuka somehow kicked out after a dazzling Spanish Fly from Charlotte, and Charlotte survived a perfectly applied Triangle submission from The Empress. In the clutch, The Queen fought out of one more Asuka Lock attempt and locked in the Figure-Eight for an unbelievable submission victory.
As the new SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte is the first Superstar in WWE history to hold eight Women’s Titles. The WrestleMania main event now features two Women’s Champions, but what that will mean for the history-making match is anybody’s guess.