Number One Contender For WWE SmackDown Women's Championship Revealed
Carmella's title reign could be in serious danger...
May 16, 2018
The next number one contender for Carmella's SmackDown Women's Championship was revealed last night in London.
The reigning champion took to the ring to conduct her own 'Mellabration', having successfully defended the title against former champ Charlotte Flair at Backlash.
Carmella originally became champion by cashing in her Money in the Bank contract on Charlotte, defeating her beaten-down opponent two days after WrestleMania 34.
The 'Mellabration' was interrupted by SmackDown general manager Paige, the British star receiving a huge reception from her home crowd. Paige revealed that Carmella will be defending her championship at Money in the Bank on June 17, and that her opponent will be Asuka.
Asuka held the NXT Women's Championship for over 500 days, the longest post-national expansion reign in WWE history. She entered the main roster still undefeated under the WWE banner, having been forced to vacate her title due to injury.
Shockingly, Asuka's undefeated streak came to an end at WrestleMania 34, as she lost to Charlotte Flair in a match for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Other matches for Money in the Bank have also been confirmed, although there are still gaps in the card. Nia Jax's Raw Women's Championship will be defended against Ronda Rousey, while AJ Styles' WWE Championship will be again defended against Shinsuke Nakamura. The latter will carry a stipulation chosen by the challenger, although the nature of that stipulation hasn't been revealed yet.
In terms of the Money in the Bank ladder matches, both the men's and women's bouts have seen a series of qualifiers contested on TV over the past couple of weeks. The Superstars to have qualified so far are as follows:
Men's: Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, The Miz, Rusev, Bobby Roode, and one member of the New Day.
Women's: Ember Moon, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch, Billie Kay, Lana.