With SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella on commentary, Asuka and James Ellsworth engaged in a battle of the sexes after Carmella seemingly gave her lackey one simple instruction: Take Asuka out. 

Ellsworth seemed ready to follow the orders until the bell rang and then the ultra-focused Empress of Tomorrow laid in, and an absolute pounding began. Making Ellsworth pay for his pivotal involvement in Carmella’s successful title defense at WWE Money in the Bank, the unrelenting Asuka forced Ellsworth to run away after catching him with an echoing slap. Asuka chased him, which resulted in a double count-out since Ellsworth had sprinted over the barricade and beyond. Carmella took complete advantage by blindsiding The Empress of Tomorrow while she was in hot pursuit. 

The job didn’t go according to plan for the SmackDown Women’s Champion, but the night ended with Asuka briefly downed all the same, giving Carmella the edge heading into their match at WWE Extreme Rules. However, Ellsworth wasn't totally in the clear as it SmackDown LIVE General Manager Paige announced that Ellsworth would face Asuka again next week, this time in a Lumberjack Match with the entire blue brand Women's division surrounding the ring.