The Empress has a new groove and a new challenger.
Until June 9, Asuka was known as the WWE Raw Women's Champion, despite being a SmackDown Superstar. That all changed on the most recent episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown when she was awarded a new title, "the WWE Women's Championship."
Adam Pearce awarded Asuka with the new belt, but the celebration was short-lived as Charlotte Flair quickly returned to declare that she does not wait in line and wants a shot at the championship.
The new belt look similar to the Belt given to Roman Reigns last week to signify his run as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. However, the nameplate on the new belt reads Women's Champion and features a white stripe instead of a black one.
Charlotte Flair has not been seen since WrestleMania 39 where she lost the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship to Rhea Ripley.
Asuka accepted the challenge, much to the dismay of Adam Pearce, who had already promised Bianca Belair a championship rematch.
"I don't wait in line... I MADE THE LINE!" --@MsCharlotteWWE has returned to challenge @WWEAsuka for her WWE Women's Championship! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/TFTBgzaSWB
— WWE (@WWE) June 10, 2023
At WWE Night of Champions 2023, Asuka defeated Bianca Belair to win the WWE Raw Women's Championship. However, the WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown Women's Championships have been on opposing brands since the 2023 WWE draft, with Rhea Ripley holding the WWE SmackDown Women's Title on Monday Night Raw.
In a later backstage segment, Pearce alluded to a championship match taking place on the Friday Night SmackDown before WWE Money in the Bank 2023. It has since been announced that Asuka will defend her new title against Charlotte Flair on Friday, June 30.
WWE SmackDown - June 30
WWE Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
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