A major match is reportedly in place for Rhea Ripley.
Last year at WrestleMania 40, Rhea Ripley defeated Becky Lynch to retain her Women’s World Championship. However, soon after, Ripley had to relinquish the title after suffering a shoulder injury.
Upon returning a few months later, Mami went on a hot pursuit after her championship and Liv Morgan. Finally, at Raw on Netflix premiere, Ripley defeated Morgan to take back her gold. With WrestleMania 41 Las Vegas just a couple of months away, a huge match has reportedly been fixed for the PLE.
According to a new report by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, the Stamford-based promotion is discussing a first-time-ever main-roster singles match between Rhea Ripley and women’s tag-team champion, Bianca Belair at the Allegiant Stadium. The report notes that this is based on discussions and tentative plans, and can change.
Despite this being their first main roster match, Belair and Ripley have a history of two previous singles matches, both held under the NXT banner. Their first televised match was on the October 23, 2019, edition of NXT, while their second singles match was at WWE NXT TakeOver: Portland in February 2020.
Since their NXT days, both women have reached the peak of women’s division in the promotion, and are viewed as two of the most popular stars. The EST has even main-evented WrestleMania 37 against Mercedes Mone aka Sasha Banks.
The promotion mostly kept the two titans apart except for a few teases and some multi-women matches. Ripley was expected to face Belair at Money In The Bank 2022. However, an injury kept Mami out, and Carmella instead replaced her.
Often appearing on the opposite sides, Ripley and Belair were a part of the same team at WarGames 2024. The two champions were also a part of the WWE 2K24 Deluxe Edition cover last year.
Backstage Reason Why Rhea Ripley Won Women’s World Championship At Raw On Netflix Premiere
According to a new report from WrestleVotes on Sportskeeda Backstage Pass, Rhea Ripley’s win at the Raw on Netflix premiere was strategic for WWE as the Road to WrestleMania begins.
“I think it becomes a numbers thing as we get closer to WrestleMania. You know, two world title matches for the women’s equals probably four participants. They wanted Rhea, obviously, to be one of those.”
In other news: A former WWE Champion wants to retire John Cena.