Rhea Ripley‘s future after Money in the Bank 2025 is now in doubt after her surprising defeat at the high-stakes WWE ladder match in front of a worldwide audience. Despite being heavily favored due to her imposing power and reputation, Ripley fell short as Naomi captured the coveted briefcase, leaving both fans and commentators wondering about Ripley’s next move and standing within WWE.
Expectations High for Rhea Ripley’s Performance in the Ladder Match
Heading into the Money in the Bank event, Rhea Ripley was considered a strong contender because of her physical dominance compared to the other competitors. As one of the biggest stars among the six women in the match, and experiencing her first WWE ladder match, Ripley was at the center of much anticipation.
Fans believed Ripley would either take control for most of the contest or at least deliver standout, powerful moments that would leave an impression. She received loud applause when entering the arena, underlining her popularity. However, in the match itself, Ripley did not command the ladder match the way many had hoped.
Instead, one of Ripley’s most significant moments was when Stephanie Vaquer executed the Devil’s Kiss on her, not on the mat as is typical, but on a ladder—raising the impact both literally and figuratively, and making it one of the most memorable highlights of the night.
Fortunately for Ripley, she avoided any major injuries during the event, which suggests she will not be sidelined and should be able to resume her regular WWE activities without interruption.
Concerns Mount Over Ripley’s Status After Consecutive Setbacks
In recent years, Rhea Ripley was a dominant force in WWE’s women’s division. However, since she lost the Women’s World Title to IYO SKY, her momentum has slowed, and she has struggled to reach the same heights as before. Many observers felt that successfully claiming the Money in the Bank briefcase could have jumpstarted her return to main-event status, particularly with the threat the briefcase poses to all current champions.
Now that she has missed that opportunity, signs point to increased uncertainty over her WWE trajectory. Fans have voiced concerns on social media about her relatively small presence in the ladder match, expressing anxiety that Ripley could soon fall further down the card, making fewer appearances in key storylines.
#MITB So HAPPY/relieved that Rhea Ripley didn’t win the Briefcase, glad to see other Women get opportunities instead.
I like her and it’s not her fault, but the Booking/Writing of her character is so frustrating that she can’t do anything outside of the Title picture…
— Faizal Perager (@man18united) June 7, 2025
This perspective highlights a sentiment among part of the WWE Universe that Ripley’s character has not been utilized to her full potential outside of championship feuds, and that new faces in the spotlight are overdue. Other fans expressed relief that she did not win, with one stating,
“It’s gonna be probably failed cash in so I’m rather happy Rhea ddint win,”
reflecting mixed reactions to the outcome for both Ripley and the division as a whole.
What Could Come Next for Rhea Ripley in WWE?
With the latest Money in the Bank behind them, speculation runs rampant about where Rhea Ripley’s character and WWE status might head next. WWE creative is now tasked with keeping her relevant and will need to reignite interest among viewers who want to see her rise back up the ranks. Whether Ripley finds a new rival, gets involved in non-title storylines, or waits for another title shot, her fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how WWE navigates her future after this high-profile setback.
