Rhea Ripley Hints at RHIYO Tag Team Future After Elimination Chamber

Rhea Ripley
Image of: Rhea Ripley [Image Source: ATHLONSPORTS]
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Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY, the duo known as RHIYO, have been a leading force in the WWE Women’s Tag Team division for over eight months, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships from Asuka and Kairi Sane on the Raw on Netflix anniversary episode this past January 5. However, their reign ended when Lash Legend and Nia Jax defeated them on SmackDown this week to claim the titles.

Despite the recent loss, Ripley made a major comeback at the WWE Elimination Chamber event in Chicago on Saturday, winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match. This victory grants her a title opportunity against Jade Cargill for the Undisputed WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42, scheduled for April in Las Vegas. This win signifies a shift for Ripley toward singles competition while raising questions about the future of RHIYO as a team.

Ripley Reflects on the Tag Team’s Status Following Elimination Chamber

After her Elimination Chamber triumph, Ripley talked about the impact on her partnership with IYO on WWE NOW, indicating that their tag team activities may pause temporarily as they focus on individual goals for WrestleMania. She expressed strong support for her partner despite their diverging paths at the biggest WWE event of the year.

“The tag team stuff might have to be put on hold for a little bit,”

Ripley said.

“But whatever she’s doing, I’m still going to be there for her and vice versa. It’s kind of sad to think about because I feel like IYO has kind of been in my life here in the WWE over the past…like what, year and a half? We’ve been pretty much inseparable, whether we’ve been facing each other or we’ve been tagging together, and just growing that bond.”

Additionally, IYO SKY publicly showed support for Ripley with a tweet following the event:

You ALWAYS make me smile!!!🙏🙏I know well how much pain you endured to stand there.Congrats Mami!!!!!!!🙏🏾🙏🏾✨✨

― IYO SKY, WWE Superstar

Ripley’s Path Back to the Singles Championship Spotlight

By winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber, Ripley has positioned herself to regain prominence in the singles division. Her last reign as WWE Women’s World Heavyweight Champion ended in March 2025, when she dropped the title to IYO SKY. Their intense rivalry has included memorable high-profile matches, such as the Triple Threat Match with Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 41, which was named The Takedown On SI’s Match of the Year.

In July, Ripley and IYO also headlined the all-women’s Evolution Premium Live Event, where Naomi capitalized on her Money in the Bank contract to win the championship. Meanwhile, IYO was eliminated during her qualifier for the Elimination Chamber match on Raw, losing to Raquel Rodriguez.

Potential Directions for IYO SKY as WrestleMania Approaches

While Ripley’s WrestleMania 42 matchup against Jade Cargill is confirmed at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, IYO SKY’s next steps remain less defined. Initially, she was set to face the current Women’s United States Champion Giulia on the February 20 SmackDown, but WWE substituted Ripley in that match instead. This decision reportedly aims to reserve the highly anticipated IYO vs. Giulia singles bout for a future event, likely WrestleMania.

According to Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net, the IYO vs. Giulia match was deliberately postponed to build anticipation for their first one-on-one encounter in WWE. Fans eagerly await this potential showdown, which promises to be a standout moment on the WrestleMania card.

What Lies Ahead for RHIYO and WWE’s Women’s Tag Team Scene

With Ripley transitioning toward a significant singles title match at WrestleMania and IYO SKY pursuing other opportunities, the future of RHIYO as a tag team appears on pause but not over. Their close bond and mutual support suggest that this dynamic duo could reunite in the tag division down the line. For now, WWE fans will watch closely to see how both superstars’ careers unfold in the coming months, particularly on wrestling’s biggest stage.

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Brandie Owens
Brandie Owens
Brandie Owens is a journalist at CynicalTimes.org, specializing in coverage of the WWE Raw Women’s Division. With four years of experience, she provides in-depth reporting on rivalries, title reigns, and standout performances by top female superstars. Brandie brings detailed analysis, accurate updates, and a passion for storytelling to every article. Her coverage highlights the athleticism, drama, and evolution of women’s wrestling on WWE Raw.