# SmackDown LIVE preview, Dec. 18, 2018: The era of Asuka begins

* After WWE TLC, an Empress reigns over Team Blue. What will Asuka do after her historic SmackDown Women’s Championship victory over Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!

* The era of Asuka begins
* How will Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair respond to Ronda Rousey’s interference?
* Will “The New” Daniel Bryan’s crusade continue?
* Can anyone stop The Bar?

# The era of Asuka begins

* Asuka emerged victorious in the first-ever Women’s TLC Match on Sunday night, becoming the new SmackDown Women’s Champion. Though she got an unexpected assist from Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, The Empress of Tomorrow has declared that she is now “the man” after defeating Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
Will anyone step up to try and bring Asuka’s reign to a quick end?

# How will Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair respond to Ronda Rousey’s interference?

* Though Asuka is sure to be celebrating her newfound championship glory, The Man and The Queen are no doubt seething after Ronda Rousey shoved the ladder they had been climbing, sending them tumbling to the canvas and allowing The Empress of Tomorrow to claim the SmackDown Women’s Title for herself.
How will Lynch and Flair respond to The Baddest Woman on The Planet meddling in their affairs?

# Will “The New” Daniel Bryan’s crusade continue?

* Following his tirade about the WWE Universe and his leather-strapped WWE Championship Sunday afternoon, “The New” Daniel Bryan took one step closer to making his worldview a reality, defeating AJ Styles to hang onto the WWE Title at WWE TLC.
Will Bryan make good on his vow to introduce a sustainable championship title? Will Styles still be on the hunt for the champion?

# Can anyone stop The Bar?

* The odds were stacked against Sheamus & Cesaro in their SmackDown Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match at WWE TLC. However, The Bar once again showed why they are Team Blue’s top tandem, fighting off the challenge of both The New Day and The Usos.