7 Ups & 2 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (May 29)

5. 'The Empress' Triumphs

Asuka Mandy Rose
WWE.com

While Mandy Rose vs. Asuka looks like a mauling on paper, WWE were smart in its presentation.

'God's Greatest Creation' shouldn't stand a chance against 'The Empress.' She's a relative rookie, while Asuka is a stone cold killer. An all-out squash would be the only credible course of action under normal circumstances, but the former NXT Women's Champion was made to work through a weakened state last night, as Sonya Deville attacked her before the bell.

This brought legitimacy to Mandy's offence, and planted the slightest hint of doubt in the outcome. Still, having her overturn Asuka would be madness. The Japanese star will fight for Carmella's SmackDown Women's Title at Money In The Bank, and must be protected at all costs, particularly given the way her character has been normalised since WrestleMania 34. It looks like the writers recognise this, too: Asuka defied the handicap, took control of the bout, and tapped Mandy out in 5:30.

The right outcome for a well-executed bout designed to put Asuka over without totally burying Rose. It succeeded in doing so, and while Mandy isn't exactly blowing anyone away at the moment, her week-to-week improvement is noticeable.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.