Rhea Ripley has caught the attention of Bayley during WWE’s ongoing European Tour, as tensions rise within the Women’s Tag Team division over potential new challengers. The tour, taking place across several cities including Glasgow, Copenhagen, and Düsseldorf, has brought new flair to established storylines, making Ripley and Bayley’s rivalry a key highlight.
Ongoing WWE European Tour Leads to High-Profile Absences
The current WWE European Tour has been notable for some major stars missing from the lineup, including Charlotte Flair. Flair’s absence was first noted when she missed SmackDown last week, reportedly due to feeling ill, and she did not appear at subsequent events in Glasgow or Copenhagen either. Despite her absence, other matches continued, with Alexa Bliss securing a win over Kairi Sane as originally advertised, albeit without her partner Flair.
While the official explanation for Flair’s absence remains unclear, her continued no-shows have fueled fan speculation about both her health and her travel with the WWE squad. These unexpected changes have altered matchups and storylines for the tour’s European audience.
Sofia Cortez Makes a Dramatic WWE Comeback After Over a Decade
The tour also marked the surprise return of Ivelissa Velez—known to fans as Sofia Cortez—who made her presence felt during the HOC ID Showcase. She attacked the reigning Women’s ID Champion Laynie Luck and formally announced her return to WWE after a thirteen-year gap, having departed the company in 2012 and spending time with AEW beginning in 2019.
“I’m returning where I belong @WWE Guste a quien le guste!”
she wrote on Twitter — Ivelissa Velez, Wrestler.
Injury Update on Bloodline’s Lance Anoa’i
Lance Anoa’i, connected to WWE’s Bloodline storyline family, has had a complicated tenure since his signing earlier in 2024, ending with his release before making a televised appearance. Injuries played a significant role in his WWE journey, but Anoa’i recently shared encouraging news following chiropractic treatment.
“Everything was great, man. If you’re ever in the South Philly, you live in the South Philly area, make sure you come see my man, Dr. Nico, at City Spine. Just make your way. You’ll feel a lot better, especially when you leave, man. I might be able to do what you think, but now I just got to go look some ads in the ring, and that is it,”
Anoa’i said. — Lance Anoa’i, Wrestler
Roxanne Perez Highlights the Demands of the Tour
Roxanne Perez is also making headlines as she continues her journey on the WWE European Tour, including an appearance in Germany. She shared a candid update with her fans, noting her early-morning arrival in the country and the minimal time she has to prepare for her upcoming RAW match. Perez’s social media posts made light of the sleep deprivation that accompanies such a high-paced travel schedule, a reality for many WWE performers on the road across Europe.
Tensions Rise in the Women’s Tag Team Scene
Rhea Ripley, as one-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions, finds herself directly targeted by Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, both of whom have been advocating to WWE official Adam Pearce for a place in the tag team championship picture. The animosity was visible in Düsseldorf when Ripley posted about her training session at a local gym, only to have Bayley mimic her post shortly afterwards, signaling friendly rivalry but also intensifying the competition between the two.
This escalating feud centers Ripley as the target and focal point of renewed interest from her fellow competitors, stirring anticipation for major matches on the remaining dates of the European Tour. With Adam Pearce evaluating possible new contenders, fans can expect more interactions between Ripley, Bayley, and Valkyria as the tour moves forward, possibly setting the stage for future title matchups.
The ongoing developments, from surprise returns like Sofia Cortez’s to the evolving Women’s Tag Team dynamics involving Rhea Ripley and Bayley, continue to fuel excitement across WWE’s European events. As the tour progresses, these storylines promise further surprises and drama for both live audiences and viewers around the world.
#AlexaBliss with the win in #WWECopenhagen pic.twitter.com/HMXO6G1xpA
— Millie (@IDanishCamille) January 11, 2026
