Rhea Ripley’s sudden injury created a need for a new Women’s World Champion. The April 22 episode of RAW ended with a battle royal to help the company decide a new top female on Monday nights.
After a chaotic battle royal match, Becky Lynch pulled down the win to become WWE Women’s World Champion. The Man now holds the title that she failed to snag at WrestleMania 40.
The 4/22 episode of WWE RAW marked the first occasion in WWE history where a vacant women’s championship was claimed in a battle royal. Previously, the only woman to win a title in a battle royal was Gail Kim, who beat then-champion Jazz and five other women during her WWE RAW debut in 2003.
The next WWE draft is from April 26, 2024 (SmackDown) to April 29, 2024 (RAW). It’s anyone’s guess how the upcoming roster shake-up will mold the women’s division for the red brand.
The Battle Royal Match Finish
The battle royal included several notable spots. Natalya eliminated Chelsea Green, but she got back in without the referee seeing her. Then Becky Lynch was put through the announce table by Nia Jax, leaving her out of commission, but still in the match.
The final five women in the match included Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Liv Morgan Zoey Stark and Becky Lynch, who was KOed thanks to that table spot. Then Jax took Stark and Baszler out of the match.
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— WWE (@WWE) April 23, 2024
As Nia Jax and Liv Morgan set themselves up to be the last two in the match, Becky Lynch crawled back into the ring. The three of them continued as Liv and Becky tried to take out Nia. Then The Irresistible Force was finally sent to the floor after a collaborative effort.
Becky and Liv made eventually made their way to the apron, where Morgan nailed a Codebreaker, but Lynch reversed Morgan’s follow-up into a Manhandle Slam to win the match.
BECKY LYNCH is your newwww Women's World Champion!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/lUsTjlk2FX
— WWE (@WWE) April 23, 2024
Why Rhea Ripley Vacated Title
Rhea Ripley looked to be a strong, and unbeatable, Women’s World Champion coming out of WrestleMania 40. Then Liv Morgan jumped her backstage during the RAW after the show of shows, and the Nightmare was injured.
Recent reports suggest that Ripley might need four to six weeks to regain shoulder mobility following a sprained AC joint injury. The incident is considered a “total fluke.” Typically, recovery from such an injury requires up to three months before she can resume ring activities.
Ripley had to make the sad announcement last week on RAW that she was vacating the Women’s World Championship. Before she left, Ripley also made it very clear that she will target whoever is champion when her return comes around.
