At the 2026 Women’s Elimination Chamber Match, Rhea Ripley surprised fans by emerging victorious, earning the opportunity to face WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42. This win marks a critical turning point for Ripley as she prepares for one of wrestling’s biggest stages.
Following her win, Ripley and her former tag team partner IYO SKY delivered an emotional promo on Monday Night RAW, where Ripley expressed deep appreciation for SKY’s friendship but emphasized her focus on taking down Cargill independently at WrestleMania. The show’s segment hinted at a significant shift in Ripley’s storyline as she moves toward a solo rivalry.
Potential Rivalries and Strategic Alliances Leading to WrestleMania
Speculation arises about Ripley’s next steps, suggesting she may transfer to SmackDown and engage in a heated feud with The Storm ahead of WrestleMania 42. Yet, handling Jade Cargill alone could prove difficult, and a surprising development may involve Chelsea Green stepping in as Ripley’s ally on the blue brand.
Currently, Chelsea Green is sidelined by injury after her last televised appearance on the February 6 episode of SmackDown, where she lost a Triple Threat Elimination Chamber qualifier to Tiffany Stratton. Despite this, Green recently congratulated Ripley on social media, which sparked a tense exchange with Jade Cargill on X/Twitter, fueling rumors that Green might make a comeback to support Ripley against Cargill.
Rhea Ripley’s Championship Ambitions and Career Context
Rhea Ripley has not held a world title since dropping the WWE Women’s World Championship to IYO SKY about a year ago. After multiple failed attempts at regaining singles gold, Ripley formed a tag team with SKY—known as RHIYO—and together they captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship from The Kabuki Warriors earlier in the year.
Following the loss of the tag titles to Lash Legend and Nia Jax last week on SmackDown and her subsequent Elimination Chamber victory, Ripley appears to be refocusing on her singles career. A WrestleMania clash with Jade Cargill represents a prime opportunity for her to reestablish herself as a prominent solo competitor in WWE.
The Uncertain Road Ahead and Possible Outcomes at WrestleMania 42
While many fans and insiders speculate that Ripley could dethrone Jade Cargill to claim the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania, no official confirmation has been made. The evolving storyline, combined with Chelsea Green’s unexpected involvement and Ripley’s recent success, adds tension and excitement as WWE fans anticipate the outcome.
Whether Ripley will overcome Cargill and reclaim championship glory remains to be seen, but her trajectory heading into WrestleMania 42 marks a potentially transformative moment in her career and the women’s division as a whole.
“I now have to handle my own business and dethrone Cargill at ‘Mania.” – Rhea Ripley, WWE Superstar
“Following Rhea Ripley’s victory at the Elimination Chamber, Chelsea Green took to her social media handle and congratulated Ripley. This led to a heated exchange between Green and Jade Cargill on X/Twitter.” – WWE Insider
Rhea is proof that you can be kind, respectful and the most talented wrestler in the world. https://t.co/kP6lO5xTFr
— CHELSEA GREEN (@ImChelseaGreen) March 2, 2026
