CARMELLA (C) VS. ASUKA

 Back at Money in the Bank, James Ellsworth returned to the company, climbing on the apron wearing Asuka’s mask, distracting her long enough for Carmella to retain the title, he then interfered in their rematch on the following Smackdown. This lead Smackdown General Manager Paige to add a stipulation for this match, James Ellsworth will be locked in a shark cage suspended above the ring.

Mauro Renallo, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton are on commentary for this match.

Asuka enters first, and we see the cage that will hold Ellsworth before the match can start. Renallo sends us to the Portuguese, Russian and Japanese commentary, the latter of which features Funaki. Also shown are the Hindi, French (including Raymond Rougeau) and Chinese. Carmella makes her way out, Ellsworth follows behind, glancing over at the cage as he gets in the ring. Staff enter the ring to check the cage and help Ellsworth in there before it can be raised as Ellsworth shits himself.

 

CARMELLA © VS. ASUKA

(Smackdown Women’s Championship)

WWE Extreme Rules 2018 (July 2018)

  The bell rings and Asuka kicks Carmella, she connects with knee strikes then snapmares Carmella down for another kick to the back. Carmella reverses a slam and brings Asuka down to the mat, she calls up to Ellsworth who drops a chain, but Asuka is able to stand on it.

  Asuka shouts at the referee about the chain before throwing it down and kicking Carmella in the chest for a nearfall. Asuka connects with running ass attacks, but Carmella pushes her away and gets to her feet in the corner. Asuka is cut off with a kick to the midsection, Carmella with a mule kick in the corner, she tries to get the chain but the referee removes it from the ring. James Ellsworth drops the spray down, but Asuka connects with a spinning back fist before Carmella can use it. More strikes from the challenger, she connects with a spinning kick and hits the ropes for a running dropkick. Carmella blocks a german suplex and a hip toss but lands her face on Asuka’s knee. Asuka hits the running ass attack for 2. Asuka starts working on the left arm of Carmella, then puts her in the chickenwing. She drops to the mat, putting full power on the Asuka lock but Carmella gets to the ropes.

  Carmella escapes to the floor as Ellsworth is seen picking the lock, and I think it’s Saxton that says it nullifies the stipulation. Asuka hits a suplex on the floor and sends Carmella into the security wall. James Ellsworth is free from the cage but his boot gets caught in the cage, James Ellsworth is suspended from the cage by his boot.

  Asuka connects with roundhouse kicks and a running dropkick as the cage is lowered. Asuka beats the staff and carries on kicking James Ellsworth butCarmella has made it back into the ring, she sends Asuka into the lowered cage and covers for the win.

WINNER: CARMELLA (STILL Smackdown Women’s Champion)

This wass a good match when Asuka was in control. Ellsworth got some heat and none of Carmella’s dirty tricks worked, but she still squeaked out the victory. She really needed a legitimate win or two though, David Flair reigns should not be a thing.  [½*] 0/10