Women’s Tag Team title defense added to WWE SmackDown
Another title match has been added to the Christmas Day edition of WWE SmackDown.
It was announced during Raw tonight that new Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Charlotte Flair will make their first title defense on this Friday’s Christmas Day episode of SmackDown. Their challengers for the show haven’t been revealed.
After six months away from WWE programming, Charlotte returned as Asuka’s partner at Sunday’s TLC pay-per-view. They defeated Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. Lana was originally announced as Asuka’s partner for TLC, but there was an angle on Raw last week where it was said that Lana wasn’t cleared to compete after being attacked by Baszler & Jax.
Asuka & Charlotte opened tonight’s post-TLC episode of Raw. Charlotte was about to ask about Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship, but they were interrupted by Baszler & Jax. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke then appeared, leading to a match where Baszler & Jax defeated Rose & Brooke.
Asuka & Charlotte were on commentary for Baszler & Jax vs. Rose & Brooke. When Baszler & Jax turned their attention to Asuka & Charlotte after the match, Rose dropkicked Baszler off the apron and Rose & Brooke threw Jax over the top rope.
Later on tonight’s Raw, Asuka & Charlotte were in action and defeated Lacey Evans & Peyton Royce in a non-title match.
Three title matches have now been announced for the Christmas Day episode of SmackDown. It’s being taped in advance and will air on Fox at 8 p.m. Eastern time this Friday. Here’s the updated lineup for the show:
- Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends his title against Kevin Owens in a steel cage match
- Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn defends his title against Big E
- Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka & Charlotte Flair defend their titles