With the Royal Rumble fast approaching attention is already beginning to turn to WrestleMania 39. Although the ‘road to WrestleMania’ is never straightforward, just ask Ronda Rousey.
For a number of months it was believed that Rousey would be squaring off against Becky Lynch. However, new reports have emerged suggesting that this is no longer the plan. Those close to Lynch claim that the match has “lost it’s lustre” and should have taken place in 2019. This has seemingly left both women without opponents for WWE’s biggest event of the year.
Ronda Rousey Vs Rhea Ripley Set For WrestleMania?
Interestingly, it has now been reported that Ronda Rousey will be taking on Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39. The report from WrestlingNewsCo also states that she will be defending the SmackDown Women’s Title in the bout. It’s important to note that this report emerged before Rousey was beaten for the title by a returning Charlotte Flair on SmackDown. Although there is always a possibility that she wins the title back.
Rhea Ripley has been in dominant form on Raw where she acts as the bodyguard for Judgment Day. Ripley’s most recent bout on the red brand came on the December 19th episode of the show where she defeated Akira Tozawa.
Ronda Rousey had been SmackDown Women’s Champion since winning the title for a second time at Extreme Rules. However, that run was brought to a shuddering halt on the December 30th edition of SmackDown by Charlotte Flair. After retaining her title with a win over Raquel Rodriguez, Rousey was challenged by Flair to a match and quickly accepted. Flair lost the SmackDown Women’s Title to Rousey back at WrestleMania Backlash in an “I Quit” Match. Following the bout, Flair disappeared for seven months.
Flair hit Rousey with two Spears before reversing an Arm Bar into a pin to claim the SmackDown Women’s Title in less than a minute.