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Charlotte Flair vs. Natalya vs. Nia Jax — Winner Challenges Asuka at WWE Backlash: Raw, May 25, 2020
Asuka comes out on commentary. She's asked if she thinks Natalya (after last week) can focus on the match, then if she wants to face Nia. She mostly speaks Japanese but at one point she does lament Kairi's latest fate in English ("Poor Kairi"). Asuka really doesn't like Charlotte currently; she laughs at Charlotte's promo during the Kevin Owens Show and boos the idea of Charlotte becoming a double champion. Okay, not completely: Asuka cheers Charlotte targeting Nia's knee with kicks and a Figure Four/Eight attempt. Asuka tosses Nia back into the ring at one point. She yells at Charlotte to give up after Natalya puts her in a sharpshooter. Then Asuka gets mad when Nia breaks up Natalya's submission attempt and yells when Nia stares her down. Although she's stunned at Nia's Samaon Drop and pin, she displays the Raw Women's Championship in front of Nia after the match.
Apr 2, 2024
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Charlotte is later interviewed. She's asked about her upcoming match with Asuka as well as her loss at NXT Takeover: In Your House. She claims she didn't lose as she wasn't pinned or submit. She says she elevated the NXT Women's Championship. She also claims Asuka is trying to "steal her moment." Asuka dances in with the Raw Women's Title. "Do you ever take anything seriously?" Charlotte asks. "Yes. Yes, I do," Asuka says before slapping her.
During their match, commentary suggests that Charlotte is downplaying her loss to Io Shirai at TakeOver: In Your House. Bayley and Sasha Banks come back out, this time to sit on commentary. During the break Charlotte sends Asuka flying over the announce desk. Both fight on the outside before entering the ring. The IIconics watch the match behind the plexiglass barricades around the ring. They attack Bayley and Sasha Banks. All are ejected before the last commercial break.
Commentary wonders how much Asuka can handle before her match with Nia Jax at Backlash as Charlotte struggles to take out Asuka. Asuka is able to kick out of a Charlotte spear and places Charlotte into a submission. Nia comes out and interferes, allowing Charlotte to spear and pin Asuka. Nia Samoan Drops Asuka.
Apr 5, 2024
There is a Backlash rematch between Asuka and Nia for the Raw Women's Championship.
Asuka is interviewed by Charly Caruso. Charly asks if Nia is too menacing for Asuka. Asuka mostly speaks in Japanese, ending her statement with "easy-peasy. Nia Jax started this fight. Asuka will finish it."
In a pre-match interview Nia says Asuka lucked out at Backlash. Asuka can dance around like a clown but when Nia wins she'll be doing a victory dance of her own, she says.
Early on Nia is able to escape some of Asuka's submissions. The match goes to commercial after Nia hits a powerbomb.
Asuka hits Nia with double knees, a shining wizard, and even a double stomp off the turnbuckle, but it isn't enough. Nia hits Asuka with a Samoan drop but Asuka's foot is under the bottom rope. Nia pushes the ref, allowing Asuka to get a rollup pin.
Apr 6, 2024
Kevin wants to talk about the number one contender's match for the Raw Women's Championship match at Backlash later in the show. Asuka comes out to her music before chanting "Becky." Kevin wants to ask about what happened the week before with the celebration and Kairi getting hurt with recaps added to the segment. Asuka is still upset about Nia's attack and Kairi's state ("Kairi not so cute," Asuka says in English at one point). Charlotte Flair comes out. Charlotte says the Raw Women's Championship should've been hers even though she's currently holding the NXT Women's Championship at this time. Charlotte claims Asuka always loses to her. Natalya comes out and apologizes to for the previous week. (The week before Natalya was in a submission match with Shayna Baszler, which Natalya lost. Crew members immediately set up for the Kevin Owens Show segment after the match. Natalya trashed the Kevin Owens Show setup before the segment happened.) Charlotte says Natalya is sucking up to Kevin and is now "irrelevant." Nia Jax comes out and says she's the next Raw Women's Champion. Nia mentions Kairi to irritate Asuka. Kevin, knowing what's going to happen next, pleads with Asuka not to hit Nia in the face as he's leaving the ring. Asuka hits Nia in the face with a spinning elbow, sparking an in ring brawl.
Apr 2, 2024
Top Recs from @roseplantqueen
Writers questioned Asuka's poison mist gimmick after it appeared in WWE at Hell in a Cell. A writer from Wrestleview called the gimmick "stereotypical." The Ringer blamed the mist gimmick on...Paul Heyman. But here is a video from a WrestleMania weekend where Asuka talks about her admiration for The Great Muta and her desire to do a poison mist gimmick in WWE about a year and a half before she started doing it.
Mar 2, 2024
Since all of this is not on YouTube.
On this episode of SmackDown the Tokyo tour dates are recapped, complete with footage of the Kabuki Warriors winning against the IIconics in Tokyo.
A backstage segment (linked here) follows where Paige and the Kabuki Warriors confront the IIconics for the title shot they were promised. The IIconics delay the title match. The segment ends with face manager Paige slapping Billie Kay.
Feb 27, 2024
IIconics (champions) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Kabuki Warriors.
* Mandy Rose rolls up Billie Kay for a pin, eliminating the IIconics.
* Asuka submits Rose with the Asuka Lock, eliminating Rose and Deville.
* Nikki pushes Kairi off the turnbuckle, leaving her susceptible to a punch (forearm?) by Bliss as Paige watches. Bliss hits Twisted Bliss, win titles.
Feb 28, 2024