[NOISE] >> [INAUDIBLE] Come on [INAUDIBLE]
>> Now a drop kick to the back of Jax.
>> [FOREIGN] >> Asuka's not letting Nia Jax be
a factor in this matchup.
>> Now Shayna Baszler off the distraction of Nia Jax.
>> Asuka able to get out.
>> Looking for the Asuka Lock.
>> Now Shayna Baszler with the Kirifuda Clutch.
>> Shoulders down, shoulders down.
Asuka pinned Baszler.
>> [INAUDIBLE] Baszler [INAUDIBLE] of the Empress.
>> [NOISE] >> I told you, what did I tell you?
>> [NOISE]
>> Asuka blocked it.
>> Not this time, Shayna Baszler.
And the Asuka Evolution on Baszler.
>> Asuka absolutely defiant.
>> Look at the kicks right to the face, to the mouth of Shayna Baszler.
>> Asuka trying to return the favor.
>> And another kick to the face.
>> [NOISE] >> It's
all about payback tonight for the Raw Women's Champion.
>> Asuka is exhausted.
>> My God, my God, what is this?
>> [NOISE] >> Face first into the bottom turnbuckle.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> [INAUDIBLE] Asuka is
removing the protective that is exposed steel, Joe.
>> Yes it is, no, no.
>> Removing the mouth guard.
>> Come on, Asuka- >> Asuka removing the safety precautions.
This is not good for Baszler.
Baszler's mouth driven into the steel.
>> [NOISE] >> Asuka
is trying to torture Shayna Baszler.
>> Well she is not sure that she is.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
>> The exposed turnbuckle and the referee.
>> [NOISE] >> What are you doing?
>> [FOREIGN] >> What's wrong with you?
>> [FOREIGN] >> And
now Asuka muscling Peyton Royce up to the top turnbuckle.
>> There is position for both these two on the middle rope.
And Peyton Royce, she wanted to face the champion and
now she's understanding what Asuka's all about.
How difficult it is to put away the Empress.
Royce all alone, at least temporarily and now headed all the way to the top rope.
Off the top of the and a double stomp to the back.
Peyton Royce, sense of urgency here, hook to the leg.
Asuka with a kick out.
>> Aah!
>> Well, I think it's Asuka that's finding out what Peyton Royce is made of tonight.
>> Near fall after near fall in this matchup.
>> Million dollar question for Peyton Royce is,
what else must I do to put Asuka away?
>> She's doing enough already, it looks like Byron.
>> It would seem for much of this matchup, Royce's confidence is growing,
minute by minute.
Now, the frustration coming to the surface.
>> Well, that may be the case, but whoa.
>> No doubt the official focusing on Asuka.
>> Look at this.
>> [INAUDIBLE] With a kirifuda and armbar, she's gotta straighten out,
Royce is fighting desperately.
>> And Royce trying to shift her body, shift her hips.
>> Royce doing her best to reclaim that arm,
she got through but look at Asuka transitioning.
>> Aah!
>> She's got her in the Asuka Lock, the RAW Women's Champion with the Asuka Lock!
And Peyton Royce taps out.
[SOUND] >> Here is your winner
by submission, the Raw Women's Champion, Asuka.
>> What a performance by both Peyton Royce and
the Raw Women's Champion, Asuka.
[MUSIC]
>> Asuka, you're one of the greatest women's champions in WWE history.
You proved your point.
Now, last I saw, Charlotte Flair
was out here challenging you for
the Raw Women's Championship while you we're
recovering from having your teeth knocked out?
But now Charlotte Flair is not here.
She's actually recovering from COVID.
So Asuka, I'm gonna need an answer,
on my first official night
here at RAW, straight up.
I challenge you to a championship match at WrestleMania.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> [FOREIGN]
But you
are not
ready for
Asuka.
Rhea Ripley,
I accept.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> My god.
>> You ready?
>> Made official, my god.
Rhea Ripley's first night on Monday Night Raw and she gets herself an opportunity
to challenge Asuka for the World Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> I
have a million things going through my head right now,
just like the last time I came to Raw to challenge Charlotte.
Challenged her at WrestleMania to go against me for
the NXT Women's Championship.
Now I've come back to Raw and I've challenged Asuka for
the Raw Women's Championship.
I have a lot of things going through my mind.
I don't know how to describe them.
I honestly don't know what to say right now.
I'm excited, for one.
I'm glad that I got what I want.
That's why I have been waiting here, for a good month.
I've been watching the Raw shows, and I've been waiting,
and biding my time just trying to pick the best time to come out.
And I think I did a pretty good job.
I got what I wanted.
>> What makes you a nightmare for the rest of the women on Monday Night Raw?
>> Makes me a nightmare.
Have you watched me wrestle, bro?
Have you watched anything of Rhea Ripley,
or are you just the new guy that doesn't pay any attention to the athletes?
Have you never seen me in the ring?
Have you ever seen what I've done to women?
I absolutely brutalize whoever is in the ring with me.
I don't care about their safety, I really don't.
I'm in there to win.
>> And now your RAW Women's Champion,
the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.
[MUSIC]
Byron, I'm thinking about the audacity of Rhea Ripley,
considering the way that Asuka has been competing as of late.
It's reminded a lot of us of the Asuka who went undefeated for
over 900 days in the WWE.
>> I looked into Asuka's eyes when she made that challenge.
>> I think Asuka was pleasantly surprised that Rhea Ripley wanted a piece of Asuka.
Because Asuka knows this is her chance to remind everyone how dominant she can truly
be as the RAW Women's Champion.
And as many challenges that have been thrown at Asuka, she wants more and
more competition as her reign continues on as as RAW Women's Champion.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Current, Adam,
I think you meant to say current Raw Women's Champion.
>> [LAUGH] I am the Raw Women's Champion.
[LAUGH] And
you are over confident?
[LAUGH] >> Yeah, I mean, you're right, I am.
On my first night on Raw,
I was confident enough to challenge you to a match at WrestleMania.
But now, now I'm confident enough to tell you to your face that
I'm gonna beat you at WrestleMania and take your championship.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Sign it.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> [LAUGH] [FOREIGN]
[LAUGH] Your confidence
is borrowed not
earned, not yet.
[LAUGH] Rhea, you have the talent,
but you have to learn you are not.
[SOUND] >> Rhea Ripley smashed the table into
the face of Asuka.