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The Horror Show at Extreme Rules is only a few days away, with a pretty interesting lineup of matches. There are quite a few cinematic matches, keeping up with the theme of the show. The likes of Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, and others will compete from various locations at Extreme Rules, likely taking up a sizable portion of the card.
In terms of in-ring action, the most exciting match on the show might be the RAW Women's Championship match between Asuka and Sasha Banks. The two of them are possibly WWE's best performers at the moment, male or female.
They have done some stellar work in the past few weeks, particularly Sasha Banks. Along with Bayley, she has been the workhorse of WWE, showing up at every place. The Legit Boss even had a few matches on NXT thanks to her status as WWE Women's Tag Team Champion.
Now, Banks has the opportunity to win another title just like Bayley, who is also the SmackDown Women's Champion. There are many possibilities heading into Extreme Rules, with quite some intrigue surrounding this match. Here are five possible ways Asuka vs Sasha Banks could end at WWE Extreme Rules.
#5 Asuka wins clean at Extreme Rules
This is one of the likelier outcomes of the match at Extreme Rules, one that would benefit Asuka greatly. She has been in the form of her career over the past few months, standing out as one of WWE's best performers on the Performance Center shows.
The Empress of Tomorrow has looked pretty strong as RAW Women's Champion, but still needs that one defining title defense to her name. Asuka defeated Nia Jax after a fast count from the referee, while Charlotte Flair entered their title match already injured.
If, after what is likely to be a terrific contest, Asuka puts Sasha Banks away with minimum shenanigans, her RAW Women's title reign would only go from strength to strength. Extreme Rules could provide a significant moment for the Empress of Tomorrow, especially since it was at this pay-per-view two years ago, where she suffered a damaging defeat to Carmella.
If WWE is planning on turning Asuka exactly back into the dominant force she was in NXT, expect a clean victory for her at Extreme Rules. Sasha Banks is one of the few Superstars good enough to take a clean defeat and remain strong. It could even add to her multi-layered character alongside Bayley.
#4 Shayna Baszler interferes in the match at Extreme Rules
While it may be extremely disappointing, there is a chance that WWE avoids either Asuka or Sasha Banks taking a loss at Extreme Rules by simply ending the match without a winner. There have been exciting pay-per-view title matches in the past that have suffered the No Contest fate, and this could feasibly follow suit.
Shayna Baszler returned on RAW, taking out Akira Tozawa and his ninjas. She looks set to go on a warpath after being off TV for a while. That warpath could start from Extreme Rules, as she interferes in the hotly anticipated RAW Women's Championship match to make a statement.
If there is one thing Baszler is great at, it is playing the spoilspoint and ruining the hopes of WWE fans. This would fit perfectly into that trope. The Queen of Spades could use Extreme Rules as a vehicle to challenge Asuka for the RAW Women's Title at SummerSlam, in a battle between the two greatest Women's Champions in NXT history.
Sure, it would be unfortunate if we did not see a winner between Asuka and Banks at Extreme Rules. But as a result, Baszler would get tons of heat, and both Superstars would remain as strong as ever as champions in their own right, be it singles or tag team.
#3 Bayley helps Sasha Banks win the title at Extreme Rules
One of the biggest surprises WWE could deliver at Extreme Rules is a Sasha Banks victory over Asuka. Switching the RAW Women's Championship over to The Legit Boss would be a monumental move, one that has tons of storyline potential for her and even Bayley. However, a clean victory for Banks would not be the best outcome from an Asuka fan's perspective.
The Empress of Tomorrow will lose a ton of momentum if she is beaten clean at Extreme Rules. Therefore, if the title does change hands, there would likely be loads of shenanigans beforehand. Bayley could play a significant part in the finish to the match, ultimately costing Asuka before Sasha Banks takes advantage and wins the title.
Seeing both Bayley and Banks hold two belts each would be lovely, after the extensive work they have done across RAW, SmackDown, and even NXT on a couple of occasions. The 'Golden Role Models' are all over the place, and a victory at Extreme Rules would only solidify their status as the best thing in WWE today.
Asuka might be left in the dark yet again, but the potential of Bayley Dos Straps and Two Belts Banks might be too tempting to forgo. This storyline between the two best friends could take many different turns, and this is one of the most exciting ones.
#2 Bayley costs Sasha Banks the match at Extreme Rules
While Sasha Banks winning could lead to many interesting things, it isn't all that likely. Instead, we can expect more subtle hints at friction between her and Bayley at Extreme Rules. The SmackDown Women's Champion is set to have a busy night, defending her title against Nikki Cross before possibly playing a major role in this match.
She could ultimately cost Banks the match, masking it as an accidental thing, out of jealousy that she has been getting more attention despite only holding one Championship. The paranoia of Bayley wanting to remain a level above Sasha is another layer that could be added to their story.
The two don't need to come to blows right away as well. It should continue to be a slow-burning storyline. Failed help from Bayley at Extreme Rules would be similar to when she decided against helping her best friend at WrestleMania 36 when Lacey Evans pinned Banks.
An outright turn from Bayley at Extreme Rules is unlikely, especially with her and Banks still staying strong as the Women's Tag Team Champions. They could slowly drift apart and eventually lose the titles before their feud comes to a head.
#1 A stunning double turn takes place at Extreme Rules
Right, so this probably is the least likely outcome on this list, but a double turn between Sasha Banks and Asuka at Extreme Rules would be a radical booking decision, to say the least. It may be challenging to execute without being in front of a proper crowd, but WWE's Performance Center trainees could ram home the message of the double turn with their reaction.
Also, Asuka and Banks are two elite level performers who are more than capable of telling a story of such impact. The Empress of Tomorrow could use her destructive strikes to keep her opponent down. It also helps that the Legit Boss is great at garnering sympathy from fans. Asuka may have only recently turned babyface and is thriving in that role, but she was equally brilliant as a heel.
She would make it work, even if it is for shock value. The aforementioned manner of her victories in title matches could be a hint towards this. Also, on the latest episode of RAW Talk, Asuka received a challenge from her tag team partner, Kairi Sane, provided she wins at Extreme Rules.
This could all lead to a big heel turn for Asuka and a hot program with Sane for the title, possibly the latter's final one in WWE. Asuka could also face other babyfaces on the roster like Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair, both of whom could become major stars on RAW.
However, the main story would be the dynamic between heel Bayley and newly babyface Sasha Banks, still holding the Women's Tag Team Titles together. Again, this angle between the two best friends is all about layers, subtle details and a slow-burn.
A face turn for Sasha Banks at Extreme Rules could lead to further discord between herself and Bayley, possibly fast-tracking their eventual blowoff match. This is one way to ensure it happens at SummerSlam, as unlikely as it is.
Whatever happens at Extreme Rules between Asuka and Sasha Banks, the future is very bright for the women of WWE.
