8 booking steps toward Paige vs. Asuka at WrestleMania 34

Step 3: An ominous invitation

Will the evil side of the Empress show itself?

2018 has dawned, and a rematch between Alexa Bliss and Paige is announced for the Royal Rumble. The new champion takes the opportunity to usher in the New Year with a great celebration, gloating, feeling vindication after the trials and tribulations she's been through.

Meanwhile, Asuka rings in the New Year with a string of her most impressive main roster victories to date, over the likes of Mickie James and Bayley, and, though a first-time ever encounter between Sasha Banks and Asuka would arguably be wasted here, it does seem like a big match appropriate for RAW's 25th Anniversary show on January 22nd.

Eventually, familiar faces show themselves as Absolution arrives and this time, enters the ring. Impressed with her performances, Paige, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville sing the praises of Asuka and invite her to join them. With her trademark enigmatic smile on her face, Asuka speaks for the first time on RAW, saying four simple words: "I'll think about it."

She slowly leaves the ringside area and is not seen again for weeks.