'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
After another week of pretty substantial storyline development on Raw, we seem to be edging closer to finding out what the plans for both WWE Women's Championships at WrestleMania 34 are - with PW Insider revealing who Alexa Bliss and Charlotte will face respectively.
In case you didn't know...
Asuka won the first ever Women's Royal Rumble Match in January and, with that, received the guarantee of a title shot against the Women's Champion of her choice at WrestleMania.
After the match, Asuka was set to chose her opponent at WrestleMania before Ronda Rousey debuted, with the decision was never made.
The heart of the matter
Well, it has been said several times that Asuka will face Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania on Raw, but there's also been some toing and froing on the issue with several reports claiming otherwise.
After Nia Jax faced off against the undefeated Asuka twice for the chance to join Asuka against Bliss at WrestleMania, things finally started to hit the accelerator on the road to WrestleMania last night - with PW Insider now claiming that both matches are pretty much set.
It seems like we're heading straight for Nia Jax versus Alexa Bliss and Asuka versus Charlotte at this year's WrestleMania.
An emotional moment after last night's match and an incredible heart-to-heart between Raw Women's Champion Alexa Bliss and her friend Nia Jax seemingly steered us towards a potential turn and WrestleMania showdown - which also explains the sudden re-pairing of Bliss with Mickie James.
Last night seemed to be Nia Jax's face turn and Mickie joining one of the best heels in WWE right now, Alexa Bliss could have just set up the perfect story.
With a lot of women's storylines on Raw developing on a weekly basis - including Ronda Rousey vs Stephanie McMahon and Bayley vs Sasha Banks - it's a stark contrast from matters on SmackDown Live where we seemingly have six women on rotation with a showdown between Charlotte and Ruby Riott set for this weekend.
WWE's online articles are constantly hinting that Asuka has not "officially" announced what championship she will be challenging for - so it's now expected that we'll be seeing Nia Jax challenge Alexa Bliss and Asuka challenge Charlotte at WrestleMania.
What’s next?
SmackDown exclusive event Fastlane takes place on Sunday with Ruby Riott challenging Charlotte for the WWE Women's Championship.
I wouldn't be too surprised if we see Asuka post-match.
Author’s take
Well, it had been rumoured for a while that this was where we're heading but, after the recent weeks of programming, it's slightly surprising with WWE hammering in that Asuka would face Bliss on TV, then contradicting it online.
I think Asuka shows up at Fastlane on Sunday to challenge Charlotte at WrestleMania, leaving Alexa Bliss without an opponent at WrestleMania. With Bliss saying several times that Nia Jax deserved to be in the match with her and Asuka, it could open the door for those words to come back and bite her, with a face Nia Jax taking up the challenge.
Of course, there's still the small matter of Carmella holding the Money In The Bank briefcase as well as an abundance of female talent on SmackDown to sort out.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
