ASUKA VS. PEYTON ROYCE

The match begins and they lock-up and struggle for control. Peyton shoots Asuka into the corner but the Empress leaps over her and dances. Asuka then catches Royce with a shoulder tackle. Royce swings for a clothesline but nobody’s home, then hits a sunset flip and looks for a submission but Asuka gets to the ropes. Asuka catches Royce with an armbar but Peyton quickly gets free and applies a unique float-over ankle lock. Asuka kicks herself free and Royce rolls to the corner.

Asuka runs but Royce slams her face-first into the middle turnbuckle, then hits a float-over suplex for a two-count. Asuka punches Royce from the mat as Peyton yells at her that she doesn’t deserve to be Champion. Royce goes to the apron and ducks Asuka, then slides back into the ring. Asuka tosses her back out to the apron and hits a spinning backfist. Asuka looks for the running hip attack but Royce avoids it and Asuka hangs in the ropes, so Peyton kicks her, then yanks her off the ropes to the floor and Asuka lands awkwardly.

*Commercial Break*

We return to find both women down in the ring. They get up at the same time and Asuka hits Royce with a pop-up knee, then a hip attack in the corner. Royce swings a kick but Asuka grabs it, then hits a German suplex followed by a running knee for a near-fall. Asuka goes up top and jumps for a crossbody but nobody’s home. Royce and Asuka trade reversals back and forth and Royce catches a spinning backfist to hit a modified Gory Bomb and scores a near-fall. Royce can’t believe it. She lifts Asuka but gets grabbed in the Asuka Lock.

Royce rolls her up for a near-fall, then Asuka hits a Codebreaker for a near-fall. Asuka backs Royce into the corner, then lifts her onto the top rope. Asuka looks for a superplex but Peyton fights her off, then hits a double stomp to the back for a near-fall. Asuka drops Peyton and applies an armbar but Peyton is able to grab her hands and roll over, only for Asuka to transition to the Asuka Lock and Royce taps.

WINNER: ASUKA
As soon as the bell rings and Asuka is handed her title, the Nightmare Rhea Ripley’s music hits and she stomps her way to the ring! Rhea grabs a microphone and smiles at Asuka. Ripley says Asuka is one of the greatest Champions in WWE history, she proved herself. And last she checked Charlotte Flair was out here challenging Asuka to a WrestleMania match while Asuka had no teeth. But now Charlotte is gone, “recovering from Covid”. So Ripley extends the challenge for a WrestleMania match for the RAW Women’s Championship. Asuka snatches the microphone and speaks in Japanese. She says Ripley isn’t ready for her…but she accepts.