Asuka was the first woman to win WWE's Royal Rumble match, taking the inaugural women's Rumble in 2018.
The match occurred at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on January 28, 2018. Asuka entered at number 25 and eliminated Nikki Bella last to win. Her victory earned her a women's championship match at WrestleMania 34.
The inaugural women's Royal Rumble was modeled on WWE's established men's match, with competitors entering at timed intervals and being eliminated by going over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. Thirty women were announced for the first edition, which also included surprise appearances by former stars.
A common mix-up is saying Becky Lynch won the first women's Rumble. Lynch won the 2019 match, the second women's edition, and later became one of the division's most prominent champions.