Charting the WrestleMania showdown between Auska & Ronda Rousey
The main idea
At WWE WrestleMania 34, the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka, will compete against UFC's most popular female star in its fabled history, Ronda Rousey.
How it all began
This past Sunday, Ronda Rousey shook the wrestling landscape to its core when she made her WWE debut at the Royal Rumble. Greeted by a chorus of cheers from a rabid Philadelphia fanbase, Rousey walked her way down to the ring to confront the top female Superstars in WWE today.
Champions, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair stared the former UFC Champion down, but Rousey paid them no mind, choosing instead to focus on the winner of the first female Royal Rumble, Asuka.
With a fever pitch level of anticipation in the air, Asuka and Rousey traded intimidating stares, each one refusing to divert their gaze from the other. After a few moments, WWE's newest Superstar tried to extend a hand of respect to her new rival.
Asuka deliberated accepting for a moment, however, she ultimately decided to swipe the hand away, refusing to show any form of respect. Her gesture of aggression was greeted by a smile from Rousey, who opted to point at the WrestleMania sign, signalling to fans a potential encounter between the two.
How we get to WrestleMania
At this point in time, the only thing that restricts a WrestleMania encounter between Asuka and Rousey is the fact that Asuka has a guaranteed title match at the Show of Shows. In order for this contest to take place, one of two things will happen in the near future.
Option A - Ronda Rousey will win the RAW Women's Championship inside the first female Elimination Chamber, setting up a match with the undefeated number one contender.
Option B - On the other hand, save Rousey's WWE debut for WrestleMania, which would be a grand spectacle indeed if WWE could maintain the hype around her until then. In this scenario, Asuka's quest to continue to make history leads to her cashing in her title shot and entering the Elimination Chamber match.
Her overconfidence would have her assume that the match was hers for the taking, but she wouldn't expect Rousey to interfere in said contest. Rousey could cost Asuka the match (but in a way that protects her undefeated streak), freeing up the championship for a match that needs the extra spotlight.
Come WrestleMania, these two powerhouses will compete in arguably the most anticipated female contest in WWE history. The match is set to do wonders for the division, and in turn, propel the star power of both Asuka and Rousey.
It'll be a battle for the ages, but when it's all said and done, the Empress of Tomorrow will be saying goodbye to her iconic undefeated streak. Her loss will be Rousey's gain, and a win such as this will most certainly legitimize the aura of the UFC alum for years to come.