As WrestleMania 42 draws near, WWE is considering a surprising opponent for Rhea Ripley WrestleMania opponent that has caught fans off guard. Inside sources indicate Ripley may face IYO SKY in a match that could become one of the event’s highlights, although no formal plans have been finalized yet.
Potential Rivals at WrestleMania 42
Under Triple H’s creative leadership, Rhea Ripley has consistently been featured in prominent WrestleMania bouts, and this year appears set to continue that trend. According to Ibou of Self Made, discussions have taken place about positioning Ripley as a main-event competitor, with IYO SKY identified internally as her contender for WrestleMania 42. This pairing is unexpected since Ripley and SKY have spent much of 2025 as allies, forming a tag team within the women’s division.
The proposed WrestleMania match is reportedly viewed as a marquee encounter by WWE management, although the Women’s World Championship is not tied to this bout. Past encounters between Ripley and SKY include last year’s Triple Threat match at WrestleMania in Nevada, where SKY pinned Bianca Belair to win the Women’s World Championship. With the event approaching, fans are eager to see the dynamic between these two evolving competitors.
Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY’s Tag Team Success and Upcoming Title Defenses
Last year, Rhea Ripley supported IYO SKY after The Kabuki Warriors betrayed her, leading to their formation as a tag team. This partnership has propelled them to the top of the women’s tag division, culminating in winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship earlier this month by defeating Asuka and Kairi Sane. Following their victory, the duo received an official team name, celebrating their rise as champions on WWE’s red brand.
Shortly after their triumph, Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez of The Judgment Day interrupted the celebration. Morgan and Perez subsequently secured the number one contendership by winning a Triple Threat Tag Team match, setting the stage for a forthcoming title defense. Ripley and SKY will defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship in Canada during WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event against Morgan and Perez.
This upcoming match may signal the strength and future of Ripley and SKY’s partnership in the run-up to WrestleMania 42, as they face determined challengers from The Judgment Day faction.
