WWE Royal Rumble 2018: The Case For Asuka Winning
By Sarah Hirsch
Asuka is a heavy favorite to win the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble match at this year’s WWE Royal Rumble 2018.
When it comes to someone such as Asuka, one has to wonder what will be in store for the former NXT Women’s Champion. Since her debut onto the main roster, Asuka has yet to really engage in her first singles feud. Perhaps that can change at WWE Royal Rumble 2018.
Of course, Asuka remains undefeated since she stepped foot into WWE. One would think that Asuka is a shoe-in to win the Rumble and head to her first WrestleMania in a Raw Women’s Championship match. One point to remind fans of is that even though Asuka has been undefeated, she has fought tooth and nail to keep that undefeated streak alive. This will be no different.
Her road to WrestleMania could be forked either way depending on the outcome of the Royal Rumble. Again, if Asuka wins the Rumble, she will have some incredible odds against her during the match. Asuka loves a good challenge, and this will perhaps be her biggest challenge yet. Seeing her win and face off against Alexa Bliss in New Orleans will be a great match in the Superdome for sure. Bliss has been the dominant force in the Raw Women’s Division, defeating those such as Bayley, Mickie James and Sasha Banks.
But Bliss hasn’t encountered an opponent the caliber of Asuka. That’s not to discredit the women I just named. Asuka is a different kind of beast in the Women’s Division – nobody really is ready for Asuka given her resume and undefeated streak. While one could see this scenario coming with a Rumble win – the feud itself will have people paying attention to it because of the effort both Asuka and Bliss will put into it.
Let’s go on the flip side. Asuka is in the Rumble, or she isn’t? You read that right. What if Asuka was ambushed before the match started? She has run in with Absolution within the last several weeks. Attacking Asuka and costing her a spot in the Rumble not only keeps Asuka’s undefeated streak alive, but it gives Absolution huge momentum heading to WrestleMania. Absolution is Paige’s redemption story; Asuka vs. Paige would be a great secondary feud for the Raw Women’s Division.
The beauty of the Royal Rumble is that anything can happen, and it opens up so many possibilities. For Asuka, she is destined to rule Raw as its Women’s Champion however this isn’t NXT anymore. The slow burn would work if she was detoured from the gold just a little bit longer. Obstacles such as Absolution stand in her way as does the Rumble itself.
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Whether Bliss or Paige is Asuka’s WrestleMania opponent in the future, one thing is for sure that she will have quite the journey en route to the Superdome. It will be anything other than predictable if done correctly. Again Asuka is the heavy favorite for the Rumble in its inaugural year but it may just turn out a little bit differently than fans imagine.