WWE Royal Rumble 2019: Results, Highlights, and Grades
THE MAN IS HERE.@BeckyLynchWWE has one goal, and that's WINNING the #SDLive #WomensTitle to kick off @WWE #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/Zz123wFchJ
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2019
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch
The Royal Rumble kicked off with one of the most highly anticipated matches of the night as Asuka defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch. Things got off to a hot start as both superstars gave things their all, but Becky Lynch took an early advantage.
With her confidence booming, Becky Lynch began to shout at and provoke the champion. Things quickly spilled to the outside, where Becky Lynch took control with this huge Bexsploder Suplex into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Asuka got tied up in the ropes and Becky went to take control with a flurry of strikes. Unfortunately for The Man, she made the mistake of turning her back on the champion. In the blink of an eye, Becky found herself trapped in the Asuka Lock in the ropes. After escaping, Becky returned the favor by wrapping Asuka in the Disarmher with the turnbuckle.
#AsukaLock on the ropes? #DisArmHer within the turnbuckles?
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2019
Serious damage is being done as @WWEAsuka & @BeckyLynchWWE clash for the #SmackDown #WomensTitle! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/odiyVBLOOL
Becky maintained control as things moved to the apron, but Asuka hit a few key strikes then sent them plummeting to the floor with a spinning fisherman neckbreaker off the apron. The impact was brutal and kept both superstars down for a few moments. Once things were back in the ring, Asuka powered back with a series of strikes.
Becky Lynch wasn’t holding anything back though, later coming off the top rope with massive Avalanche Bexploder on Asuka. Becky missed a leg drop, and things really started to look evenly matched. Both superstars were trading submissions, even locking in their opponent’s trademark moves. Finally, with the Asuka Lock on Lynch, the champion suddenly flipped forward and turned it into a variant of the Cattle Mutilation! Lynch couldn’t withstand the pain, tapping out and allowing the champion to retain.
Result: Asuka def. Becky Lynch to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship
Grade: A+, A truly fantastic opening, and a great match between two very accomplished in-ring competitors. There were a lot of interesting moments here, but ultimately Asuka showed the viciousness that kept her undefeated for so long.