Asuka’s WrestleMania 35 Opponent, Ric Flair Has Surgery

– With WrestleMana 35 weeks away, WWE is still putting the card together and that goes for SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka. There were rumors she would defend the title against Lacey Evans, but the direction has shifted. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the new frontrunner is Asuka vs. Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville. Naomi’s name has also been mentioned, which would create a fatal four way match.

At Fastlane, Asuka was able to defeat Mandy Rose due to Deville’s antics on the outside costing her friend the title. The problems between Rose and Deville continued over into this week’s SmackDown.

Last year at WrestleMania 34, Asuka’s undefeated streak was ended by Charlotte Flair. She then struggled to find her place on the main roster before winning the title at TLC. 

If Evans is out of the title picture, the next option would be a spot in the Women’s Battle Royal. WWE sees potential in Evans and are planning a major push.

– Ric Flair is having surgery today for an undisclosed reason. The news was reported by PWInsider and also mentioned by former NBA player Charles Barkley during halftime of yesterday’s Mavericks and Nuggets game.

Back in 2017, Flair had major surgery as part of his bowel was removed. At one point, he was placed in a medically induced coma and would later have an external pacemaker inserted. Many of the WWE Hall of Famer’s problems stem from decades of drinking. Since the health scare, Flair has stated he is done drinking.

Fans briefly saw Flair in a backstage segment a few weeks ago on RAW. On Flair’s 70th birthday, WWE had a party planned but Batista spoiled that idea. He would attack Flair backstage before asking Triple H if that was enough to get his attention. That has led to Triple vs. Batista at WrestleMania 35 in a no holds barred match.

Stay tuned for updates on Flair.