Bianca Belair vs. Asuka set for next week’s WWE Raw
Before Hell in a Cell, Bianca Belair will face one of her upcoming challengers in non-title action.
WWE has announced that Belair vs. Asuka will take place on Raw next Monday. The episode is Raw’s go-home show for Hell in a Cell.
Belair defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Asuka and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match has been confirmed for the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Lynch was added to the match after defeating Asuka in the main event of last night’s Raw.
Belair was at ringside for Asuka and Lynch’s match. While Asuka and Lynch were fighting on the outside, Asuka went to kick Lynch but accidentally struck Belair. Lynch then attempted to win the match by countout. Asuka was able to make it back into the ring in time, but Lynch pinned her to get the victory.
Asuka had defeated Lynch last week to become the number one contender to Belair’s title.
Belair has been Raw Women’s Champion since winning the title from Lynch at WrestleMania 38 last month.
A non-title match between Belair and Asuka also headlined the May 9 episode of Raw. Lynch caused that to end in a no contest when she attacked both Belair and Asuka.
Next week’s Raw is being held at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Here’s what’s been announced for the episode:
- Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
- Lacey Evans returns to action
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.