Rhea Ripley’s journey on WWE’s main roster has featured dramatic shifts, evolving from a fierce villain to a beloved hero. Recently, her victory at Night of Champions over Women’s Tag Team Champion and Judgment Day member Raquel Rodriguez has reignited her quest for championship gold. Now, with current Women’s World Champion IYO SKY naming Ripley as her challenger at this year’s Evolution Premium Live Event, fans speculate that Ripley might soon embrace a darker persona through a heel turn.
With the Evolution event fast approaching, anticipation is mounting around how Ripley might cement this change, sparking various theories about the possible directions her storyline could take during the show.
Could Rhea Ripley Form a New Female Faction at Evolution?
One potential heel turn path would see Ripley assembling a surprising alliance of female competitors during this year’s Evolution. Her alliance with IYO SKY, the reigning WWE Women’s World Champion, appears strained, making Ripley’s hunger for the title even more pronounced. Since losing the championship to SKY just before WrestleMania, Ripley’s drive to reclaim the gold has been unmistakable, and forming a faction could underline her ruthless new approach.
Some fans theorize she might partner with either a rising star or an established superstar to launch her heel arc, signaling a shift in her ambitions and tactics during the all-women’s event.

Attacking Legends: A Risky Move to Ignite Heel Heat
Another scenario involves Ripley targeting WWE Legend Trish Stratus, who is scheduled to face current WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton at Evolution. Ripley could disrupt this high-profile match by attacking Stratus either before or during the bout, sending a clear message to Stratton about her championship intentions. Such an aggressive move against a beloved Hall of Famer would undoubtedly generate significant heat, reminiscent of Ripley’s past hostility alongside Damian Priest and Finn Balor toward Edge, another WWE legend and Judgment Day founder.
Winning Through Deception to Reclaim the Women’s World Championship
Ripley might also turn heel by cheating her way to a title victory at Evolution. Having lost to IYO SKY and Bianca Belair in her recent WrestleMania championship pursuits, Ripley’s frustration remains palpable during face-offs with SKY on RAW. This simmering resentment could prompt Ripley to resort to underhanded tactics to regain the WWE Women’s World Championship, a title she held for over a year. Such a win would solidify her heel turn in front of the live audience.
A Crushing Loss Leads to a Vicious Outburst Against IYO SKY
Alternatively, Ripley’s heel turn could originate from a disappointing loss to IYO SKY at Evolution. Her journey as a fan-favorite has experienced setbacks, with the championship loss being particularly stinging. This defeat might push Ripley beyond her breaking point, triggering a rage-fueled attack on SKY, whom she could blame for stealing her spotlight. This escalated rivalry would deepen their ongoing story, adding new intensity to their confrontations.
Rhea Ripley’s career continues to be a rollercoaster of emotions and identity shifts within WWE, and her potential heel turn at Evolution could mark a significant turning point. Whether through alliance-building, attacking legends, cheating to win, or succumbing to frustration, each path promises to reshape her character dramatically and influence rivalries. Evolution fans eagerly await which of these possibilities will unfold and how it will impact the women’s division going forward.
