WWE SummerSlam has concluded, leaving wrestling fans both exhilarated and puzzled by the absence of three of the company’s most prominent female stars from the highly anticipated card. The exclusion of Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch, and WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley has ignited a spirited debate among enthusiasts.
Despite a substantial build-up following WrestleMania 39, both Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch found themselves slated for an upcoming episode of “WWE Raw,” leaving fans disheartened after they were initially advertised for the grand event in Detroit. Equally surprising was the absence of Rhea Ripley, the reigning WWE Women’s World Champion, whose title defense against Raquel Rodriguez was anticipated in the coming weeks.
Bianca Belair shed light on the situation, revealing that the intensely competitive nature of the WWE women’s locker room might have played a role in the decision-making process. The complexity of the women’s division and the array of deserving contenders could have presented a challenge in fitting all the stars into the SummerSlam lineup.
She said: “I think everybody wants to be on a premium live event, that’s what we all want and that’s really what it’s all about,”
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“Of course, you’re always gonna want to be on the card -– but at the end of the day, it’s Asuka, Charlotte, and me in a triple threat,” said Belair. “You have Shayna and Ronda … we’re super excited about those matches that are on the card. That’s just the competitor that’s in us, we want to be on the card and we want to go to show, show up and show out and tear the house down and have the best match on the card. You’re gonna feel a certain way if you’re a competitor, and that’s just what it is at the end of the day. Competition makes you better –- we’re all fighting for a spot at the end of the day.”
During the post-show press conference, Triple H, the mastermind behind WWE’s creative decisions, staunchly defended the choice to leave the three talented women off the card. However, the frustration from Lynch, Stratus, and Ripley was evident through their social media accounts in the days following the event.
The marquee women’s match at Ford Field saw Bianca Belair clinch the coveted WWE Women’s title, only to experience a swift turnaround as Iyo Sky seized the opportunity to cash in her Money in the Bank contract and claim the championship for herself. The unexpected twist left fans in awe and further fueled discussions about the dynamic landscape of women’s wrestling in WWE.
As the wrestling world absorbs the aftermath of SummerSlam, the lingering question of the absent female stars’ fate remains at the forefront of the discourse. The ongoing rivalry, camaraderie, and aspirations within the women’s division promise to keep the WWE universe captivated as they eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this ever-evolving saga.
