SmackDown: Um, What Just Happened? And What Does It Mean For WrestleMania?

So… The WrestleMania 35 main event somehow just got a little more gold. Maybe. It’s not quite clear yet. But one thing that’s clear is anything can happen in WWE. Just ask Charlotte Flair and Asuka.

The first match of this week’s SmackDown LIVE episode had unexpected WrestleMania implications: McMahon family favorite Charlotte Flair somehow got an impromptu match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka, while keeping her place in the RAW Women’s Championship main event on April 7. Originally, this week’s SmackDown was supposed to feature a Fatal 4-Way to the determine the #1 Contender to Asuka’s SmackDown Women’s Championship, featuring Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Naomi, and Carmella.

That match never took place.

Having lost the Beat The Clock Challenge on RAW the previous night, “The Queen” was extra driven and ruthless. She and Asuka fought a very physical match in which Flair focused on one of the champion’s legs, working to weaken it for the Figure Eight. Though Asuka did make an offensive comeback at one point, Flair dominated most of the match and ultimately tapped out her opponent with her signature submission.

With 12 days until WrestleMania, Flair once again holds gold for the blue brand, and it’s unclear how this will affect either show’s title picture.

There are only a few more days until WrestleMania (April 7), but there are also only a few more days before the LIMITED EDITION Quote Phase t-shirts are gone forever (March 31). Get this main event gear before it’s too late!