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Kairi comes out for her scheduled match with Nia. The announcers don't side with Nia and fail to see her as the victim in her feud with the Kabuki Warriors. Asuka watches from backstage. Nia starts off patting Kairi's head before Kairi punches her. Kairi is able to get some offense in--some kicks, a spinning elbow, a DDT counter, a Sliding D--but Nia stops her momentum by banging her head against the hard side of the ring apron. Kairi suffers an accidental head gash as she's thrown into the stairs, an accident that sent some viewers into a rage for years. (Despite viewer outrage, Kairi had no ill feelings about the gash, even emphasizing that you can't be afraid to get hurt in a match in a World Wonder Ring Stardom promo years later.) The shortened match ends with a leg drop and the cameras not showing Kairi's head gash. Asuka rolls into the ring to confront Nia.
Apr 3, 2024
Related Recs
The Kabuki Warriors are interviewed by Charly Caruso. They sing their theme coming in. Kairi is asked about the height difference (and only that) between Nia and her and why the outcome of this night's match would be different than the last time they fought. "Kairi is ready for rematch," Asuka says. "No one is ready for Asuka." They leave singing their theme.
Despite being advertised by being at Kairi's side Asuka is only seen watching the match on a TV as the match is happening.
Jerry Lawler doubts Kairi's ability to win this match.
Kairi taunts Nia at the match's start but Nia is able to overtake her. Kairi attacks Nia's surgically repaired knee and manages to stop a Samoan drop attempt. She's also able to fire off a spinning elbow and a Sliding D. But before Kairi is able to hit her InSane Elbow, Nia moves out of the way and says "I don't think so." Nia Samoan drops Kairi for the win. Lawler thinks Asuka might be disappointed in Kairi. (The next episode makes it seem the aforementioned isn't the case.)
Mar 29, 2024
Later in the Kairi and Asuka are seen backstage. They say their goodbyes as Nia watches Kairi from behind.
Kairi plays her recorder. Nia sneaks up behind her and throws her into a road case.
Asuka find Kairi with an ice pack on her head. She asks if Kairi is okay. Asuka is irate.
Asuka finds Nia and kicks Nia in the head.
Apr 1, 2024
There is a joint interview between the Kabuki Warriors and Sarah Schreiber before the match. Sarah congratulates Asuka and then asks about Kairi's confidence level going up against Nia. "Confidence?" Kairi asks. "Confidence?" Asuka repeats. They both laugh as they leave the interview.
Nia starts off tossing Kairi and blaming her for taking the match, Kairi is unfazed, toying with Nia and claiming she'll make the Money in the Bank match even though she's mismatched power-wise. There is a cut of Asuka watching the match from a backstage monitor and cheering. The commentators focus on Nia being a former Raw Women's Champion and wonder if she can be champion again. Nia wins the match by a Samoan Drop. Commentary thinks Nia is the front runner for MITB.
Mar 28, 2024
Top Recs from @roseplantqueen
IIconics (champions) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Kabuki Warriors.
* Mandy Rose rolls up Billie Kay for a pin, eliminating the IIconics.
* Asuka submits Rose with the Asuka Lock, eliminating Rose and Deville.
* Nikki pushes Kairi off the turnbuckle, leaving her susceptible to a punch (forearm?) by Bliss as Paige watches. Bliss hits Twisted Bliss, win titles.
Feb 28, 2024
Since all of this is not on YouTube.
On this episode of SmackDown the Tokyo tour dates are recapped, complete with footage of the Kabuki Warriors winning against the IIconics in Tokyo.
A backstage segment (linked here) follows where Paige and the Kabuki Warriors confront the IIconics for the title shot they were promised. The IIconics delay the title match. The segment ends with face manager Paige slapping Billie Kay.
Feb 27, 2024
Drafts is what I use for a lot of things between my iPad and a webpage. Iโm using this to take pointless notes about the Kabuki Warriors things Iโm watching on Peacock. Like any gaps in Kabuki Warriors appearances. Or deciding maybe Iโm not too crazy about the IIconics as an onscreen tag team after all. Or my irritation with this one smark blog (now defunct for a very good reason, name of blog withheld here) Iโm using to find their appearances.
Feb 23, 2024