WWE Royal Rumble 2019: Report Card

Smackdown Women's Championship: Asuka (c.) vs Becky Lynch

This match was Asuka's second title defense as SmackDown Women's Champion

Result: Asuka defeated Becky Lynch to retain the Smackdown Women's Championship via submission with a bridged variation of the Asuka Lock.

Grade: A

Analysis: This was a great match that was crucial to solidifying Asuka's reign as SmackDown Women's Champion. The two started off with smooth technical wrestling transitions.

They then hit several brutal moves including a Bexploder into the barricade, an Asuka Lock in the ropes, and a Dis-Arm-Her in the ropes. They then exchanged several cool moves including a German suplex from Asuka and a pumphandle uranage from Becky Lynch.

Asuka then ht a really nasty looking Fisherman's Suplex from the apron onto the floor. Becky Lynch then hit an Avalanche Bexploder and that was not enough to put away the Empress of Tomorrow.

The two then took part in an excellent submission exchange. Asuka locked in the Asuka Lock and transitioned it into the Dis-Arm-Her before Becky Lynch transitioned it into the Asuka Lock and then into the Dis-Arm-Her.

Asuka would get out of it and once again lock in the Asuka Lock before bridging to put more pressure on the neck and shoulders.

You could see the agony on Becky Lynch's face as she was forced to tap out and that showed a great story.

Not only did this prove that Asuka is a dangerous and dominant champion but it also sowed seeds for Becky Lynch later entering the women's royal rumble to redeem herself.