WWE SmackDown Power Rankings: Asuka Has Her Path To The Title

8. Jeff Hardy, United States Champion

WWE’s United States Champion laid low this week, but Jeff Hardy will likely have a challenger scheduled for the Money in the Bank Pay Per View, especially since this show is now considered a “Big 5” PPV. Hardy could challenge one of the top wrestlers who did not qualify for Money in the Bank, such as Daniel Bryan or Big Cass, because it doesn’t seem like he will immediately feud with Andrade “Cien” Almas.

7. Asuka

At MITB, Asuka will have a SmackDown Women’s Championship match against Carmella, who was on commentary to scout out her extremely difficult upcoming opponent. Carmella likes to talk a big game, but in between the mental gymnastics and gloating, it’s pretty obvious that ‘Mella is scared of Asuka. What might give fans pause is the fact that Carmella is a savvy, conniving heel who may try to tuck an ace up her sleeve for her match against Asuka, but The Empress of Tomorrow has shown time after time that she can nullify any advantage a heel might pull on her.

Asuka is clearly determined to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship after letting it slip through her hands at WrestleMania 34 when she lost to Charlotte Flair. This week on SmackDown Live, she survived a pre-match beatdown from Sonya Deville to submit Mandy Rose, and Carmella will very likely be the next heel to tap out to the venerable Asuka Lock.