On SmackDown Live this week, most people expected to learn who would challenge Asuka for her SmackDown Live WWE women’s title at WrestleMania 35.
Instead, Asuka put her title on the line against Charlotte Flair — who is already involved in the Raw women’s title match at WrestleMania 35 — and lost the title.
Asuka’s title reign lasted 100 days, and while that sounds like a decent title reign, it wasn’t. Asuka won the title at the WWE TLC PPV on Dec. 16, 2018.
Asuka defended her title against Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble, winning that match. She was left off the Elimination Chamber PPV and then defended her title against Mandy Rose at Fastlane.
Now, she has lost the title before the biggest event of the year — to the same person who ended her undefeated streak at WrestleMania before.
With Charlotte Flair in the Raw women’s title match, it seems almost like a slap to the face of not only Asuka but the entire SmackDown Live women’s division.
Other wrestlers are not happy about it. Becky Lynch pointed out that the title defense on SmackDown Live was unearned.
She did less to earn that title shot than the Wrestlemania one. Asuka deserves so much better.
— The Man (@BeckyLynchWWE) March 27, 2019
Natalya, Carmela and Naomi left simple responses.
😑😑😑😑
— NattieByNature (@NatbyNature) March 27, 2019
😑
— Leah Van Dale (@CarmellaWWE) March 27, 2019
Welp #SdLive
— Trinity Fatu (@NaomiWWE) March 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/NaomiWWE/status/1110704180606439424
Lana continued to be #salty in her responses.
I AM VERY VERY #SALTY that @WWEAsuka just lost the #SDLIVE Women’s Championship !!!! pic.twitter.com/M8Y3wQlY1Y
— CJ “Lana” Perry (@LanaWWE) March 27, 2019
Even villains got into the act as Riott Squad member Sarah Morgan left her opinion as well.
@WWEAsuka deserves better.
— Sarah Rowe (@sarahloganwwe) March 27, 2019
In a crazy moment, even Charlotte Flair was not happy about winning, as she joined the fans booing the moment and then thanked Asuka for being professional.
This one means a lot. #8. Thank you @WWEAsuka; The most talented woman I’ve ever shared the ring with. 🤡 👸🏼 pic.twitter.com/f8tnk8HmIo
— Ms. WrestleMania (@MsCharlotteWWE) March 27, 2019
To top it off, Asuka seemed sad and also left a bit of a confusing, cryptic message as well.
over
— ASUKA / 明日華 (@WWEAsuka) March 27, 2019
WWE WrestleMania 35 takes place on April 7 at 7/6c on WWE Network.