4 Reasons Charlotte Flair Defeated Asuka For The SmackDown Women's title

So that happened!

Unfortunately for Asuka, it happened at the worst possible time and likely means she will be forced out of the title picture heading into WrestleMania 35. Beyond all that, the move absolutely decimates the SmackDown Live Women's division in the process, which is another big problem with the company right now.

With that being said and the deed now being done, it's not like WWE didn't have their reasons for making this decision. In fact, the move actually furthered the feud between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey in a way that few storyline options could have. If nothing else it was a risky decision on WWE's part, but it worked to perfection.

In the end, here are five reasons why WWE decided to crown Charlotte the new SmackDown Live Women's Championship and what it will likely mean for the future of The Women's division. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below and tell us why you believe Charlotte beat Asuka.

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#5 Unify the titles

Is WWE planning on unifying The Women's titles

Although unifying the titles seems kind of stupid on its own, it starts to make sense when you consider WWE's big deal with Fox Sports later in the year. In fact, Fox Sports is paying WWE so much to air the blue brands weekly show that they probably expect the company to make every competitor on the roster available to them.

With that being said and WWE's new deal with Fox coming up in October it makes sense that the company would prepare fans for this by unifying the Women's Title at the Show Of Shows. It also cleans up the mess that is The SmackDown Live's women's division right now which is an added bonus.

#4 Mainstream attention

Vince McMahon is a genius when it comes to getting attention.

WWE already grabbed the mainstreams attention this week by announcing that Becky Lynch versus Ronda Rousey versus Charlotte Flair would main event the show and will do so once again now that Flair is walking into the show as SmackDown Live Women's Champion. Beyond that, it puts the future of the women's division up in the air, which will also be interesting to watch.

If nothing else, this is one of those hail marry kind of moves from WWE that works and creates a lot of added buzz around their match at The Show of Shows. Not only will this add to the electric feeling that fans are feeling as the big match comes into full view, but it will also allow reach far into the mainstream and gain a lot of needed attention.

Unfortunately for Asuka, this all comes at the expense of her title run and pretty much puts The SmackDown Live women's division on an uncertain track. Furthermore, it shows that WWE had no faith in the rest of the women on SmackDown Live in order to do a one on one match against Asuka.

#2 Pop ratings

This was a great move for WWE ratings wise!

The moment was a perfect storm.

It started as an out of nowhere Women's Title match that pitted Asuka versus Charlotte Flair and ending with The Queen of SmackDown Live walking out with the blue brand's biggest prize. If nothing else, it was a bizarre series of events, a spectacular match and a great job on WWE's part for creating that anything can happen kind of feel.

Think about it! This match had absolutely everything! You saw several false finishes, constant hints of Becky Lynch dropping in to screw over Charlotte and some of the best wrestling seen in a WWE ring. It was a highlight for SmackDown Live, that usually struggles to garner this kind of enthusiasm and hopefully asigng of things to come.

Maybe that's a little too hopeful, but if WWE is willing to make these kind of big swings weeks before WrestleMania 35, imagine what they could do after the big show in April? Then again, just imagine what SmackDown Live could do once it starts airing on Fox Sports?

#1 Generate heat for Charlotte

Wow The WWE Universe can't stand Charlotte Flair right now!

If you thought you hated Charlotte after she was inserted into The Raw Women's Title match at WrestleMania 35, just imagine how much you probably hate her now that she has defeated Asuka for The SmackDown Live Title. Interestingly enough, this played off of Charlotte's entitled gimmick perfectly and the fans responded with immense anger.

It was almost too easy to rile up The WWE Universe, especially with all the other ways the company has tried to screw over Becky Lynch and it helped further the storyline in a very meaningful way. It also was the shocking moment that The WWE Universe needed after weeks of less than stellar programming on SmackDown Live.

In the end, the fans now hate Charlotte Flair more than ever and will continue to do so every time she brings up the fact that she beat Asuka for The SmackDown Live Women's Title. Hopefully, WWE can have Charlotte lose it back to Asuka before the big show, especially since it would create an anything can happen kind of feel, it would also give The Empress Of Tomorrow the momentum she needs.