8 booking steps toward Paige vs. Asuka at WrestleMania 34
Last week, we saw the seeds potentially being planted for a Paige vs. Asuka showdown at WrestleMania on April 8th, 2018, and I argued it would be the best possible match for the RAW women's division. This week, we again saw multiple hints that it was the direction WWE could be heading in:
- In the vignette that aired prior to Paige's return match and showcasing Absolution's destruction, Asuka's nickname was cut out from the replay of Mandy's short promo in praise of her leader.
- During the match itself, Michael Cole beat us over the head that Paige was a threat to Alexa Bliss and her championship.
- Another standoff between Asuka and Paige occurred, with Absolution's leader waving the Empress of Tomorrow off, choosing to focus on Alicia Fox instead.
The message was clear - Asuka is the one woman on RAW that Absolution doesn't want to attack, at least for now, and with Nia Jax seemingly (and oddly) sent into the alternate universe known as 205 Live, it appears that this pattern will hold.
It's still extremely early on the Road to WrestleMania, but thus far, all evidence seems to be pointing to a showdown between the two former NXT Women's Champions. More importantly, there is thus far nothing to disconfirm that this is the plan, with plenty around to disconfirm other scenarios. This is important because of how big a role confirmation bias plays in how we think and make decisions.
Part prediction, part fantasy, here are 8 realistic booking steps WWE can use to tell the story of the war for the RAW women's division, from the maneuvers of the combatants to the decisive battle in New Orleans. Look for these or variations on them in the coming weeks and months.
Step 1: The ram-Paige continues
With some more time to kill before the end of the year, Absolution should (and will) continue its path of destruction. Logically, Paige, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville will defeat Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Mickie James in a six-way tag team match soon. Not only should Absolution defeat the RAW stalwarts, they should destroy them in the most brutal attack seen so far, with the appropriate weapons, taking a page out of the Riott Squad or even Braun Strowman's playbook.
The women backstage aren't safe either. Dana Brooke and Alicia Fox get beatings, and Alexa Bliss is put on notice.
After a week or two of this, Paige demands a championship opportunity, telling General Manager Kurt Angle that if she doesn't get one, his women's roster will continue to be laid waste. Although he could fire the renegades, this is where authority figures in wrestling usually give in to the pressure. The match is on.