2. WWE Can Protect Becky Or Put Over Asuka Huge
There’s really no wrong answer for how to book the match finish between Becky and Asuka, because even though this article argues in support of Asuka retaining, the fact of the matter is that the match will be awesome pretty much no matter what. However, Asuka retaining the title is the preferred outcome, and there are two ways of getting there.
WWE may want Becky to head into WrestleMania without any major losses so that there’s an added aura of invincibility around her that at least somewhat matches how Ronda has been built up. I mean, there’s no way to build up anyone quite like Ronda, but WWE may not want Becky to seem “less believable” as a result of a Rumble PPV loss.
They can remedy this by having a disqualification finish, or simply having Becky lose via a distraction. Yes, that’s usually a lame route, but it might not be a bad thing here. Rousey has already costed Becky before, which led to Asuka’s first title win at TLC, and WWE is clearly building an exciting Four Horsewomen vs. Four Horsewomen angle. Those next steps could be taken during Becky vs. Asuka in the final moments after the two have already torn Chase Field down.
But if WWE is OK with having Becky take a close loss against a top-notch champion, then Asuka could be put over huge with a clean win over Becky. Asuka, of course, has an armbar of her own that has taken down some pretty quality competition, and the Asuka Lock has to be ranked as one of the most devastating submission holds in WWE.
Becky, Ronda, and Charlotte are already entrenched as three top stars in WWE, and the company has an opportunity to make Asuka and Sasha Banks huge stars after WWE Royal Rumble, too. Asuka’s chances of beating Becky are significantly greater than Sasha’s chances of beating the still-undefeated Rousey, and I don’t think there’s any harm in Becky barley losing, especially if it’s to set up an even more impressive Rumble win.