#4. Further establishing Asuka as a dominant champion
It's good to see that after 6+ months of being in creative limbo, Asuka has finally found her footing on the main roster. She won the SmackDown Women's Championship at TLC and has been booked as a dominant champion (even if not to the same level as NXT).
Asuka faced Becky Lynch in a stellar opening contest at the Royal Rumble and she beat her clean as a whistle. No controversy, no shenanigans, just two competitors on the most elite level going toe-to-toe.
Asuka used a new submission hold similar to the Last Chancery, and with Becky Lynch not being on RAW, they need to establish the fact that the woman who beat the Royal Rumble winner is the top dog on SmackDown Live.
Charlotte Flair's role in all of this is interesting, but it was wise for WWE to book Asuka strong. She looks even better after Becky's incredible Rumble victory.