WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley is back in her element, reclaiming her title and setting her sights on the next chapter of her dominant reign. At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Ripley successfully defended the WWE Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax, solidifying her status as a cornerstone of the women’s division.
In an exclusive post-match interview with Peter Rosenberg and Jackie Redmond, Ripley opened up about the significance of her win and the feeling of having the championship back in her possession. When asked if everything felt “as it should” now that she was champion again, Ripley responded with nostalgia:
“Yes, it does. It’s actually giving me flashbacks of Australia, of Elimination Chamber. Giving me good old flashbacks of 2024, 2023, before everything else happened.”
Ripley expressed how much she missed holding the championship, emphasizing its importance to her identity as a competitor:
“It’s always good to be on top, right? [Laughs] It feels fantastic. I’ve missed this championship, I’ve missed this Women’s World Championship. I was the first-ever Women’s World Champion, and I just feel like it belongs on my shoulder. It belongs in my bag, it belongs with me 24/7, so it’s real nice to be reunited.”
Eyes on WrestleMania 41
As Ripley looks ahead, the road to WrestleMania and the upcoming Royal Rumble loom large. She acknowledged the growing pool of challengers vying for a shot at her title, but Ripley remains unfazed. Confident and ready for any opponent, she shared her mindset:
“I’ve had a lot of friends backstab me before, I’ve had a lot of family members backstab me before. At the end of the day, everyone wants that WrestleMania golden ticket, and I don’t blame them. It’s a massive opportunity, it’s what everyone works for. I have a target on my back, and I’m not gonna hide from that fact.”
Ripley firmly stated her intention to enter WrestleMania 41 as champion and issued a warning to her future opponent:
“Whoever stands across the ring from me, they’re gonna have to be ready for ‘Mami’ because at the end of the day, ‘Mami’ is always on top.”
A Hint at a Men’s Royal Rumble Entry?
Ripley also hinted at the possibility of entering the Men’s Royal Rumble, showcasing her unrelenting ambition and knack for breaking barriers.
As the champion reaffirms her position atop WWE’s women’s division, the anticipation builds for who will step up to challenge Ripley on her path to WrestleMania glory.