WWE Royal Rumble 2019: 4 Possible Opponents For Asuka

Ronda Rousey

Last year, neither of the women’s champions competed at the Royal Rumble PPV, as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss watched the historic Women’s Royal Rumble unfold in front of them. Before the Rumble PPV, Charlotte and Bliss had an enjoyable champion vs. champion match at Survivor Series, so there was no need for them to repeat that match at the Rumble.

However, Asuka and Ronda Rousey have yet to face off against each other, and while they could easily fight in a match with championship stakes, I’d say a match at a Big 5 PPV is a big enough deal on its own.

When Becky Lynch had to announce Rousey’s opponent at Survivor Series following her heartbreaking injury, she teased selecting Asuka as Ronda’s opponent. The crowd ate that up, cheering boisterously for the former NXT Women’s Championship, with their reactions reportedly coming as a pleasant surprise to Vince McMahon, who may have seen that reaction as another reason for putting the title on Asuka at TLC.

Although Charlotte Flair faced Rousey as Becky’s replacement at Survivor Series, Asuka could get her match against Ronda at WWE Royal Rumble 2019. This would allow wrestlers like Deville, Rose, and Cross to compete in the Women’s Rumble match without accruing any fatigue from facing Asuka, and it’d also give the champions something important to do, even if they aren’t putting their titles on the line.

Beyond that, Asuka vs. Ronda would be an awesome match. Although Rousey’s promos and social media chops have left a lot to be desired, nobody can take away her in-ring accomplishments to this point. Rousey is a talented technical wrestler who is even better at playing to the crowd, and her wrestling style would blend perfectly with Asuka, who is also an excellent submission specialist and oozes charisma.