Bayley may have been focused on Asuka heading into Raw’s main event, but she also had to keep an eye on her Extreme Rules opponent, Nikki Cross, who first arrived to join the commentary team, until she was hauled out of the arena. But at the match’s apex, Cross found a way back into the building, banging on the ringside plexiglass, which distracted the SmackDown Women’s Champion and set off a chain of events that led to Asuka gaining the pinfall victory, proving that she just may be the superior women’s champion in WWE.
Monday 6th July
Asuka Def. Bayley
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Monday 13th July
Bayley & Sasha Banks Def. Kabuki Warriors
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Days before they clash for the Raw Women’s Title at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, Asuka and Sasha Banks were on opposite sides of this WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship showdown. The Kabuki Warriors were on the verge of recapturing the titles after Kairi Sane connected with an Insane Elbow on The Boss, but Bayley pulled her out of the ring before the three-count could be made. Sane’s subsequent sliding forearm attempt was reversed into the Bank Statement, leaving Sane with no choice but to tap out. Will Asuka meet the same fate when she and The Boss clash on Sunday?
Monday 20th July
Kairi Sane Def. Bayley
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SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley thought she had things under control against Asuka’s tag team partner Kairi Sane in their one-on-one battle, but as she went for the Bayley-to-Belly Suplex, Sane wriggled free and rolled up Bayley to notch a surprise win.
Monday 27th July
Bayley ringside for Sasha vs Asuka
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The rules were clear in this bout: The Raw Women’s Championship could change hands by pinfall, submission, count-out, disqualification or if anyone interfered. Unfortunately, that was Asuka’s downfall.
Bayley brutally attacked Kairi Sane backstage, forcing Asuka to make a difficult decision – stay and defend her title, or abandon the match and save her best friend. The Empress of Tomorrow opted to rush to her friend and tag team partner’s side, taking the count-out loss. Asuka’s decision ensured that The Boss would become “Two Belts Banks” as her and Bayley’s grip around Raw and SmackDown continued to tighten.
