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WrestleMania 35 is quickly approaching, and several matches are taking shape, including the Universal and Raw Women's Championship bouts, but with two of Smackdown Live's top stars have headed to RAW for that, so it leaves Asuka up in the air.
The Empress of Tomorrow just won the title back at TLC, and had a great defence against Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble, but since that point, she hasn't been featured in a big story, and it's time for them to set up a marquee bout.
From NXT standouts to RAW defectors, there are plenty of options for Asuka, but either way, it can't be someone from Smackdown, because there's just no one ready.
So what do you guys think? Would you like to see Asuka battle one of these 4 competitors? Who else in WWE could battle Asuka? As always, let us know all your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.
#4 Kairi Sane
Kairi Sane is one of the hottest performers in NXT, and with her talent and close relationship with Asuka, this would be one hell of a WrestleMania match. After losing her chance at the NXT Women's Championship and appearing in her second Royal Rumble, Kairi's days in NXT are definitely numbered, so what better way to debut on the main roster then battling for the Smackdown Women's title?
Kairi has a phenomenal work rate inside the ring, and possesses easily the most beautiful top rope elbow in wrestling history, and while it may be too much too soon for the Pirate Princess, it's definitely an option. If the WWE want to make Sane into a star, they should give her and Asuka 15-20 minutes without limitations, and the two Japanese stars will put on a great bout, and even if she doesn't come out on top, Kairi Sane will look like a main event star.
#3 Ruby Riott
The WWE is full of underrated and under-utilised performers, and none in the women's division are underused like the leader of The Riott Squad, Ruby Riott. She came to NXT in 2017, and had a great but brief run down in developmental before being promoted, and with Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan behind her, she's a definite threat if booked properly.
Riott will be challenging Ronda Rousey at Elimination Chamber, but will likely come up short, but if the WWE can book her as a genuine threat, then a challenge to Asuka would make a lot of sense.
Liv and Sarah could come out of the Chamber as the Tag Team Champions, so switching Ruby to Smackdown while those two defend against both shows would be a great way to completely get behind the Riott Squad, and even if this doesn't happen, they need to get behind Ruby very soon.
#2 Nia Jax
Nia Jax is a dominant force in the WWE, and has been making WWE headlines for months now (for good or bad), and at WrestleMania, she needs a marquee match, so this one makes sense. Alongside Tamina, she's got a great shot at winning the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at Elimination Chamber, but either way, RAW need to send someone over to Smackdown to replace Becky or Charlotte, so Nia is a great candidate.
Whether she's a Tag Team Champion or not, it's unlikely that Jax will come out on top, and after beating Becky Lynch at the Rumble, Jax would be another top name to solidify Asuka's reign on top. Jax isn't the best in-ring performers, but she's more than capable of being a dominant heel, so opposing the hard-hitting, loveable Asuka with Jax is a great way to get Asuka a big-time WrestleMania victory.
#1 Shayna Baszler
Asuka is the most dominant Champion in NXT history, but that is being challenged by the Queen of Spades right now, so why not have them face off at WrestleMania? With both Becky Lynch and Charlotte heading over to challenge Ronda Rousey (assuming Becky gets added to the match), Smackdown Live has no credible challengers, so they'll need to outsource.
With Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke by her side, Baszler is even more dangerous, and with her dominant style, Shayna would be quite a good opponent for The Empress of Tomorrow.
They'll have to bring her up quickly if that is the plan, but simply put, there's no better option, as this would give the WWE two huge women's matches at WrestleMania. Baszler is ready for the main roster, but the women's division down in NXT is still developing, so they may not promote her full time just yet, but Shayna Baszler is the only legitimate opponent for Asuka at WrestleMania 35.
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