Once again, the women of the WWE stole the pay-per-view (PPV), this time at last night’s Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) event, where SmackDown rings in a new era in the blue brand, with The Empress of Tomorrow becoming Women’s Champion.
It’s a very rare thing for me to not only be entirely impressed by a match (entertainment-wise) as of late, but agree with every angle of the booking.
First and foremost, while I am behind The Man, and enjoyed the incredible momentum, spotlight, and booking of Becky Lynch recently, I was okay with the idea of her losing last night’s match and her championship. A mere six weeks away from the 2019 Royal Rumble event and the potential that she has to win that coveted bout and move on to face Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania, and possibly close the show, is what superstar dreams are made of. In fact, everything The Man has experienced since SummerSlam seems surreal; therefore, dropping the title the ways she did, and at the hands of Ronda Rousey no less, is the perfect way to layout a path for a Road to Wrestlemania rivalry between these two. Whether Charlotte was there for the ride, will be a triple threat opponent at WM 35, or potentially will offer a mid-term feud with Rousey as she and Becks get to the Grandest Stage of Them All, will remain to be seen; however, Ronda storming to the ring while both the Queen and The Man were struggling on that ladder, only to topple them of with one shove, crashing either women’s hopes of winning the match, was one of the most priceless and memorable recent moments win a bout that most fans won’t soon forget.
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Still, The Queen and The Man aside, truly last night’s TLC PPV was about Asuka and her story within WWE’s main roster. She entered the company’s main roster with a bang in 2017, signed to RAW and winning the Survivor Series traditional elimination match for the brand’s woman’s team that year. Her crazy NXT undefeated streak would spill over into RAW, where she and The Miz would win the first-ever Mixed Match Challenge, and Asuka would also move on to become the first-ever 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble winner, head to Wrestlemania 34, where Charlotte Flair would defeat her and end that incredible storyline.
WHAT IS @RondaRousey DOING OUT HERE?!?! #WWETLC @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/UQlD96vetS
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
Since, the way Asuka’s been booked has been disappointing at best. The Empress has experienced loss after loss, sometimes being portrayed as that of a comedic sideshow, versus true competitor. Her in-ring technique is like no other female on either brand today, and while some may argue that her promos may lack because she doesn’t speak English that well, I argue back, that she has a certain charm when it comes to segments that allows her character to shine, and creates a unique spin on mic work and how to entertain WWE fans.
Payback. #WWETLC #TheMan @BeckyLynchWWE @NiaJaxWWE pic.twitter.com/drPlwSCTMC
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
The WWE Universe now ushers in a new era in the women’s division, on the cusp of Royal Rumble and the Road to Wrestlemania: the Era of the Empress. And while all three women now go down separate paths to the Grandest Stage of the Them All, last night’s TLC match undoubtedly helped each on their respective route.
There’s going to be hell to pay for this, @RondaRousey! #WWETLC @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/6u86dYkZ0k
— WWE (@WWE) December 17, 2018
Where will they end up come April? Only time will tell; however, once again, they helped prove that the ladies within each brand are a force to be reckoned with in sports entertainment, by once again stealing the show at the TLC PPV.
