The WWE NXT episode tonight featured an exciting moment as Rhea Ripley made a surprising return to the brand, joining forces with Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer. Their comeback took place during a dramatic segment where the trio confronted Fatal Influence, who had just secured the number-one contendership for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. This unexpected reunion on the black and silver brand energized fans and set the stage for a significant announcement.
After Fatal Influence claimed their victory, Ripley, Stratton, and Vaquer stormed towards the group, signaling that a new rivalry was forming. WWE soon confirmed the next chapter, revealing that Fatal Influence will face the newly reformed team of Ripley, Stratton, and Vaquer at the upcoming NXT Homecoming event. Rhea Ripley expressed her excitement by sharing a photo of herself alongside Vaquer and Stratton inside the NXT ring, marking her much-anticipated reentry to the developmental brand.
Potential Tag Team Formation with Rhea Ripley on RAW
While her return to NXT impressed fans, questions remain about Rhea Ripley’s trajectory on Monday Night RAW, where she has struggled to maintain a prominent singles role despite being involved in championship pursuits for an extended period. Recent interactions between Ripley and Asuka hint at possible changes ahead.
Asuka, known as the Kabuki Warrior, has been involved in ongoing tensions with Ripley, including a backstage incident in which Asuka disrespected WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella. This led to a singles match on RAW where Asuka secured a submission victory over Bella, assisted by Kairi Sane’s strategic distraction. Despite these hostilities, Ripley stepped in to support Nikki Bella after another instance of backstage disrespect from Asuka, suggesting that Ripley might team up with Bella to challenge Asuka and Sane’s faction, the Kabuki Warriors.
The WWE creative team’s plans for Ripley remain unclear, but this interaction opens the door for a potential alliance, which could offer Ripley a fresh direction and renewed momentum on the main roster.
The Impact of Ripley’s Return on WWE’s Women’s Tag Team Division
Rhea Ripley’s comeback to NXT, alongside Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer, adds considerable star power to the women’s tag team division. Their scheduled match against Fatal Influence at NXT Homecoming promises to be a highlight, renewing competition and interest in the title scene. This move also provides Ripley with an opportunity to reinvigorate her character and presence within WWE’s tag team landscape.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this new team performs and whether this signals a larger strategic shift for Ripley, both in NXT and on WWE’s main roster. The outcome of the upcoming Homecoming match is sure to influence future storylines involving these women and the evolving landscape of WWE’s roster.
