Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY are set to defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team titles on SmackDown against Nia Jax and Lash Legend, marking a rematch after their previous encounter ended prematurely when the referee stopped the contest. This clash takes place shortly before the Elimination Chamber event, where Ripley secured a spot but SKY did not, raising questions about possible plans for WrestleMania 42. With the Women’s Tag Team titles last changing hands on the January 5 RAW, this match carries significant implications as the Showcase of the Immortals approaches.
Possible Breakdown Leading to Title Loss
Tag teams in WWE’s women’s division often have limited longevity, especially once they lose their titles, as their members usually pivot to solo storylines. A potential scenario involves Ripley and SKY experiencing miscommunication or accidental interference during their match, creating opportunities for Lash Legend and Nia Jax to capitalize and seize the championships. Ripley’s history of turning on previous partners, including Nikki Cross and Liv Morgan, suggests internal friction could be used as a storyline explanation for the team’s downfall.
Scenario of Ripley and SKY Retaining Their Championships
Maintaining the status quo remains a viable outcome for the title bout, where Ripley and SKY keep their belts on SmackDown. If Ripley continues as a champion heading into WrestleMania, this would increase the chances of the titles featuring prominently on the event’s card. Considering possible challengers like Alexa Bliss and Tiffany Stratton are participating in the Elimination Chamber, officials might opt to preserve the current champions to build towards future rivalries, potentially directing Bliss or Stratton to confront Jade Cargill instead.
Potential Title Win by Nia Jax and Lash Legend Through Controversy
Nia Jax and Lash Legend have persistently targeted Ripley and SKY, interfering in previous matches and following them to RAW defenses. Given their aggressive tactics, Jax and Legend may resort to cheating to secure the titles secretly during the match, circumventing the referee’s notice. Such a swift title change shortly before the final pay-per-view before WrestleMania could shake up storylines and introduce tension between the challengers, who are portrayed as friends.
Ripley Retains but Suffers Injury in Post-Match Attack
Rhea Ripley’s absence from SKY’s Elimination Chamber qualifier on RAW has fueled speculation about a recent injury, possibly sustained in her confrontation with Giulia on SmackDown the previous week. One likely scenario involves the champions surviving a fierce contest against Jax and Legend only to be subjected to a post-match assault, which could leave Ripley injured just before the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. This might force Ripley’s replacement by IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, or an unannounced competitor, threatening to disrupt the planned match line-up.
“Nia Jax and Lash Legend have attacked the champs several times. They’ve interfered in matches and have followed the champs to RAW when they’ve made defenses.” – Source
“Rhea has turned on her other partners (Nikki Cross, Liv Morgan) in the past.” – Source
Significance of the Title Match and Future WWE Storylines
The outcomes of this SmackDown match and related events will shape the WWE Women’s Tag Team division’s direction during the critical Road to WrestleMania period. Ripley’s potential injury and SKY’s uncertain involvement threaten to destabilize the current championship scene, while tag team dynamics continue to shift quickly within the division. Officials’ booking decisions during this phase will likely focus on aligning titleholders and challengers to maximize anticipation for WrestleMania and capitalize on emerging rivalries involving competitors like Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, and Jade Cargill.
