Peyton Royce vs. Asuka
Royce and Asuka lock up. Royce and Asuka trade headlocks and strikes. Asuka rolls through a sunset flip attempt and almost hits a running knee. Royce ducks and locks in a heel hook. Asuka almost locks in an armbar. Royce reverses it into a modified shin lock with a bridge. Asuka breaks the hold with a few shots to Royce’s gut. Royce hits a suplex for a near fall. Royce rants about Asuka not deserving the championship.
After a bit of cat and mouse, Asuka misses a hip attack and is hung up in the ropes. Royce grabs a handful of Asuka’s hair and uses it to pull her off the second rope. Asuka falls awkwardly to the floor. After the break, Asuka counters a kick from Royce into a German suplex. Running knee by Asuka. Royce kicks out. Royce avoids a missile dropkick off the top. Royce hits a modified neck breaker for a long two-count. Royce lands a double stomp. Asuka kicks out. Royce argues with the referee about that being a three count. Royce walks into an armbar. Royce almost escapes, but Asuka turns it into the Asuka Lock. Royce taps out.
Winner- Asuka
Rhea Ripley’s music hits. As Asuka watches, Ripley joins her in the ring. Ripley grabs a mic and says Asuka is one of the greatest champions in WWE history. Ripley says last she saw, Charlotte Flair was out here asking for a title match while Asuka was still hurt. Flair isn’t here. Ripley challenges Asuka to a championship match at WrestleMania. Asuka says a LOT… but it’s in Japanese. Asuka says Ripley isn’t ready for Asuka. Asuka accepts. Ripley smiles as Asuka hops around in excitement.
Backstage, Adam Pearce asks McIntyre why he saved Sheamus earlier. McIntyre says He can beat on Sheamus but he’s not going to let two guys jump him. Pearce says Alexander and Benjamin asked for a two-on-one match tonight. McIntyre says he’ll do it, but if he wins Alexander and Benjamin are banned from ringside at WrestleMania. Pearce agrees.
???#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/BstWcCaK94
— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2021
"I want a #WWERaw Women's Championship Match at #WrestleMania!" – @RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/IjNYfqJieX
— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2021
