5 Possible Opponents for Asuka at WrestleMania 35

Asuka will likely walk into WrestleMania 35 as SmackDown Women's Champion. The Empress of Tomorrow defeated both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a triple threat TLC match to become SmackDown Women's Champion.

Since then, she has successfully retained her championship against both Naomi and Becky Lynch thanks to the Asuka Lock. Now Flair (and potentially Becky Lynch) are already challenging Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 35. This is all under the assumption that Becky Lynch will manage to force her way back into the Raw Women's Championship so she will not be able to challenge Asuka.

Many people assume that the SmackDown Women's Championship will be thought of as an afterthought heading into WrestleMania 35 due to all the hype surrounding the Raw Women's Championship. However, the SmackDown Women's Championship can certainly steal the show once again if Asuka is given the right opponent.

#5 Peyton Royce

Peyton Royce is arguably the better half of the IIconics

It is highly unlikely that Peyton Royce will challenge Asuka for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 35. However, it would not be the worst idea. The IIconics have already been an integral part of SmackDown Live. They have put over several of the blue brand's top faces including Naomi, Becky Lynch, and Asuka. Therefore, they deserve to be rewarded for putting over other women.

Asuka is not the best in the promo department so the IIconics can definitely carry that portion of the build. From their time in NXT, Peyton Royce has proven that she is better in the ring than Billie Kay so if only one of the IIconics can be given this opportunity, it should be Royce.

The two have had really good matches on NXT in the past, with Peyton Royce being one of the standout performers in a fatal four way match for the NXT Women's Championship that also involved Asuka, Billie Kay, and Nikki Cross, and with Peyton Royce challenging Asuka for the NXT Women's Championship on an episode of NXT.

She has had great matches with the likes of Becky Lynch, Asuka, Ruby Riott, and Ember Moon in the past so she will definitely be able to prove that she deserves this opportunity.

#4 Mandy Rose

Mandy Rose is currently involved in a feud with Naomi

Mandy Rose is one of SmackDown Live's rising stars and has steadily improved in the ring. The Golden Goddess has a great look so it is only a matter of time before WWE puts a rocket on her back and pushes her to the top of the SmackDown Women's Division.

That can easily start at WrestleMania 35 with her challenging Asuka for the SmackDown Women's Championship. The two can have a great feud with Mandy Rose carrying the promo portion of the match while Asuka can do the heavy lifting inside the ring.

Having Sonya Deville by her side will make Rose even more of a threat to Asuka. This can easily happen if Mandy Rose defeats Naomi in their next match up to become number one contender to the SmackDown Women's Championship. Win or lose, she can be put over as one of the top superstars of the blue brand.

#3 Naomi

Naomi and Asuka faced off on an episode of SmackDown Live for the SmackDown Women's Championship

Naomi is one of the veterans of SmackDown Live as she alongside Carmella and Becky Lynch have been a part of SmackDown Live since the draft back in 2016. It has been amazing to see her grow and become one of SmackDown Live's very best superstars as she has definitely improved in the ring.

Her unique athleticism and high-flying offense definitely deserves praise so it is only right for her to be awarded. Finally defeating Mandy Rose in a singles match would be an easy way for Naomi to earn a championship match at WrestleMania.

Naomi has had great matches with the likes of Sasha Banks, Natalya, Ruby Riott, and even Sonya Deville in the past. She also has a history with Asuka. The two formed a fun tag team to face off with the IIconics and Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville.

After Asuka became SmackDown Women's Champion, Naomi would be the first person to challenge Asuka for the championship and would have a great match with her on an episode of SmackDown Live. The two superstars could definitely repeat that at WrestleMania.

#2 Sonya Deville

Sonya Deville is WWE's most improved superstars

Sonya Deville is not the first superstar that comes to mind when you think of potential WrestleMania opponents for Asuka. However, Sonya Deville arguably deserves it more than a good portion of the people on this list. A little more than a year ago, Sonya Deville was a rising star on NXT. While she showed a lot of potential, she did not reach her top level until she went to the main roster.

Since joining the main roster, she has improved immensely and has already had great matches with Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Naomi, Sasha Banks, and Ruby Riott. She was also a standout performer in the first ever women's Elimination Chamber match. The one thing that Sonya Deville has not had is a one on one women's championship match.

That should arguably change at WrestleMania. Sonya Deville's in ring style is similar to Asuka's as their offense resolves around strikes and submission. Their similar styles will help to craft a great match.

#1 Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross and Asuka wrestled in the first ever women's Last Woman Standing match

The Twisted Sister of NXT was one of the best acts in all of NXT. She played her crazed persona perfectly and was also a great in-ring worker. She had great matches with the likes of Ruby Riott, the IIconics, Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae, Shayna Baszler, and Asuka (more on that later).

It was announced a few months ago that Nikki Cross was headed to the main roster and I was definitely excited for that prospect. Nikki Cross should arguably go to the SmackDown Live brand, where she already had a great match with Becky Lynch, then immediately challenge Asuka. Asuka's feud with Cross was one of the best things in all of NXT, and their Last Woman Standing Match in 2017 still is one of the best women's matches of all time.

The two definitely deserve the chance to do this once again at WrestleMania (possibly in a no disqualification match).