WWE SmackDown: Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross are one step away from revenge
Alexa Bliss will get the opportunity to avenge Asuka’s mid-match attack, as she’ll face “The Empress” on next week’s episode of WWE SmackDown.
Wrestling fans have been wondering who the Kabuki Warriors will defend the Women’s Tag Team Champions against at WrestleMania 36. And although Asuka and Kairi Sane are on the Raw brand, it looks like their opponents will come from WWE SmackDown.
Asuka pretty much called out Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross for a match on the Mar. 13 episode of SmackDown when she attacked Bliss during the latter’s tag match against Sasha Banks and Bayley. Sasha definitely appreciated the assist as The Empress danced to The Legit Boss’ theme, but Bliss and Cross didn’t take the attack lightly.
Bliss has challenged Asuka for a match on the Mar. 27 episode of WWE SmackDown ahead of WrestleMania 36, and this match has a big-fight feel. More than pride is on the line for both Asuka and Bliss, because if the former Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion wins this match, she will most likely earn her and her teammate a shot at the Women’s Tag Titles.
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The Kabuki Warriors had a successful title defense in the main event of TLC, but because of Kairi’s concussion and Asuka’s title feud with Becky Lynch, things have been quiet for the duo.
However, the intrigue around the titles has always been there, and now that the Kabuki Warriors seem destined to collide with Bliss/Cross in a WrestleMania match, it’s all starting to come together.
Recall that Bliss and Cross lost the titles to Asuka and Sane at Hell in a Cell last Fall, so this would be their first big opportunity to win those titles back.
It could be a big feel-good moment for the babyface tag team, who found it difficult to defeat two former NXT Women’s Champions working at their heelish best.
It seems like it’s time for the Kabuki Warriors to drop the tag titles, as much as they’ve done to increase the prestige of the titles. WWE, of course, could be doing a lot more to showcase the championships, but whenever they’ve been involved, Asuka and Sane have made the championships feel as important as any of the others on the show.
I rarely like to pick against Asuka in a match, because she’s just such an incredible wrestler and needs to be portrayed as a dominant force. She was once the most dominant champion in WWE history in NXT and has been a true killer at times on the main roster, such as during her feuds with Becky for the Raw and SmackDown titles.
But in this case, losing to Bliss, as long as it’s done properly, has a chance to serve a greater storyline purpose. Given that Bliss is a five-time women’s champion in WWE, there’s no shame to losing to someone who is also portrayed quite strongly.
Of course, WWE can go the route where the heels try to get out of the match after both teams get a sufficient time to show their rapport in the ring that was initially developed last year. Then, after thinking they got their way out of things, Asuka and Kairi get booked into a title defense at WrestleMania. Most fans prefer a winner in a singles match leading to a tag title match, but WWE could go this route to protect the Kabuki Warriors one last time.
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But whether it’s a pin or a disqualification, Alexa Bliss is almost certainly winning this match on WWE SmackDown. Although the Divas of Doom (Beth Phoenix and Natalya) were rumored for this ‘Mania tag title match, it looks like we’re about to get Bliss/Cross vs. Asuka/Sane in April.