WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley surprised fans by confirming her arrival on Friday Night SmackDown, which will be broadcast live tonight from the Moda Center in Portland. This appearance comes shortly after her victory in the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match, setting the stage for her upcoming challenge against Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42.
The excitement around this championship bout has intensified amid a recent online exchange between Ripley and Cargill, heightening anticipation among wrestling enthusiasts. Prior to the show, Ripley shared a mirror selfie backstage at the venue, accompanied by a brief statement teasing her SmackDown debut.
“Let the ‘fun’ begin,” Ripley wrote.
Tag Team Split and Upcoming Matches Add to WWE Drama
Earlier this week on Monday Night RAW, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY officially ended their partnership as a tag team. Following the split, Mami will transition to SmackDown, while IYO SKY is set to compete on RAW next week in a gauntlet match for the number one contendership to the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. This shake-up has added complexity to the women’s division ahead of WrestleMania.
Former WWE Star Compares Ripley to Major WWE Figures
Rhea Ripley’s rising prominence in professional wrestling was recently highlighted by former WWE Superstar Lana during an appearance on TMZ’s Inside The Ring. Lana likened Ripley to Roman Reigns, calling her a pivotal figure in the women’s division who deserves consistent placement in main event matches. She praised Ripley’s intense and aggressive style, describing her as a “needle mover” within the WWE landscape.
“In some ways Rhea is like the Roman Reigns of the women; she’s a big player. Some would maybe say Charlotte Flair. Some would say Liv Morgan…but you know, possibly Triple H and creative, the decision-makers, they could see Rhea Ripley as like the Roman Reigns, right? She always needs to be in the main event. And she is incredible. Like she is brutality. She brought brutality to that match. And she is a needle mover,” Lana said.
Championship Stakes Rise Ahead of WrestleMania 42
Both Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns are in contention for world titles as WrestleMania 42 approaches in Las Vegas, with fans eager to see if either superstar will come away victorious. Ripley’s presence on SmackDown tonight signals WWE’s intent to position her prominently in the lead-up to the biggest event of the year, potentially affecting the main event dynamics. The developments around Ripley’s alliances and upcoming matches are expected to intensify the storylines and fan interest in the women’s division.
