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Asuka and Rhea Ripley will face off for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 37. Both women deserve the spotlight, and the match itself will truly be one to remember.
Asuka and Ripley have had memorable matches at the past couple of 'Manias. Two years ago, Asuka delivered a banger of a match against Charlotte Flair. Just last year, Ripley and Flair put on arguably the match of the show.
These two superstars will collide for the first time at the showcase of the immortals. Despite the build being strange at times, the match will certainly be great.
Unfortunately, neither woman will get their chance to avenge their losses against Charlotte Flair. But if this is the match we're getting as fans, there's little room to complain.
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The question around this match is who will end up on top? Both stars have legitimate claims as to why they should win. As fans, it makes you want to see both women somehow come out as winners.
It goes without saying that both women deserve the title; that's at least a consensus that most fans can agree on. So who will walk out of WrestleMania 37 as the RAW Women's Champion after it's all said and done?
Both Asuka and Rhea present strong cases. Let's look at two reasons why Asuka should retain, and two why Rhea Ripley should dethrone The Empress of Tomorrow.
Should - Asuka deserves validation for her year-long performance
Asuka deserves a win at WrestleMania for her year-long performance. There have been a few bright spots in wrestling following the pandemic's start, and she is certainly one of them. Fans can be thankful for Asuka's ongoing greatness during the empty arena shows.
The Empress of Tomorrow has showcased just how valuable an asset she truly is. Ever since accepting the belt from Becky Lynch, she's done everything.
Her comedic escapades with the likes of Kairi Sane have been top-notch, and she's also delivered great bouts against Natalya and Zelina Vega. All around, she's been entertaining during a time where she could've just played it safe.
One of the things that feels missing from her current title reign is any company effort to get behind her. WWE has treated Asuka as an afterthought at times, which is a shame.
A win on the grandest stage of them all would be a stamp of approval from WWE. It will validate all her hard work and efforts over the past couple of months. Surely Asuka and the fans would appreciate this.
Should - Asuka has waited long enough for a big win
Asuka hasn't earned a big win at WrestleMania, but she's waited long enough for her moment. Realistically, validation on the big stage can't come soon enough for the Empress.
The current women's champ lost out on her moment at WrestleMania 34. She put on a great showing against Charlotte Flair but shockingly fell short, which came as a surprise to many of her fans.
Many felt that Charlotte already had her moments at WrestleMania. It was seen as common sense for the company to establish Asuka as the next big star in the women's division.
The loss was also deflating for Asuka. By losing to Flair, Asuka suffered her first defeat in the company and afterward, it felt like a long time since she looked like her true, dominating self again.
Having Asuka win at WrestleMania this year firmly places her as a top star. It also finally gives the Empress that big win on the big stage.
Shouldn't - Rhea Ripley defeating Asuka cements her as a star
Rhea Ripley defeating Asuka at WrestleMania would be a star-making moment. For the longest time, Ripley felt like a star on the rise. However, since last year's 'Mania, it's been hit or miss.
Ironically, much like Asuka, Ripley was also defeated by Charlotte Flair. The Queen toppled Ripley in an arguable match of the night. Flair claimed Rhea's NXT Women's title, and since then, she hasn't felt quite the same.
She ceremoniously won the title, besting the long-dominant Shayna Baszler. It felt like a star-making moment, but her momentum abruptly stalled after the loss to Flair.
So how does WWE correct this shift in momentum? Simply put, give Rhea a big win in her debut match at WrestleMania. A win like that would solidify The Nightmare as a force to be reckoned with in a somewhat stagnant RAW women's division.
Much like how Asuka probably should've beaten Flair at 'Mania 34, WWE now has the chance to do this with Ripley. Put the title on the Aussie, and you have an instant star.
Shouldn't - Rhea Ripley beating Asuka is best for the women's division
Rhea Ripley beating Asuka at WrestleMania is best for the RAW women's division. As stated, WWE has treated Asuka as an afterthought over these past months. By making Rhea the division's figurehead, you're breathing new life into it.
The division is only as strong as its champion. It could be argued that since Asuka received the title, the division has been floundering. It's not even the fault of Asuka, because the company has not put in the effort to make her reign a big deal.
By putting the title on a new face, you're creating many directions the division could head in. Rhea could become the new face and rule with a dominating reign.
It also creates matches we haven't seen yet. Ripley could take on challengers such as Naomi, Ruby Riott, and Nia Jax. We could also potentially see her reignite her feud with Baszler for the RAW women's title.
Would you like to see Rhea Ripley leave WrestleMania as the new RAW Women's Champion?
How Asuka AND Rhea Ripley could win at WrestleMania
How can both Asuka and Rhea Ripley come out looking like winners following WrestleMania? WWE can book both stars as winners, even with one tasting defeat.
There's a bit of fantasy booking that has to be done to explain this. WWE has proven in the past that a loss doesn't mean a fall from grace. That's what leads us to believe it's completely doable to make both women feel like stars following their 'Mania match.
It feels right to have Rhea Ripley win the title. She's the new face, and it makes little sense to have her lose before she truly gets her main roster run started. It also allows for more interesting outcomes following the match.
How do you preserve Asuka's stature if she loses? You turn her into a baddie. The Empress has protoould be a threatening heel at the best of times, using her wars with Bayley in NXT as an example. Plus, a feud between a face Rhea and heel Asuka would be pure gold.
Who do you want to see win at WrestleMania? Let us know your pick between Asuka and Rhea Ripley below.
