Rhea Ripley’s decision to underestimate Iyo Sky and grant her a shot at the Women’s World Championship has come back to haunt her. After losing the title to Sky, compounded by distractions from her rivalry with Bianca Belair, Ripley now finds herself on the outside looking in as WrestleMania 41 approaches. The once-dominant “Eradicator” is grappling with the consequences of her overconfidence—and WWE’s ever-shifting rules aren’t doing her any favors.
In a bygone era, like 2015 or even a few years ago, Ripley might have been guaranteed a rematch. But today’s WWE operates differently, bending its own logic to suit the story. Despite her massive fanbase, here are five reasons why Rhea Ripley shouldn’t be added to the Sky vs. Belair clash at WrestleMania 41.
#5. The Era of Automatic Rematches Is Dead
Gone are the days when every deposed champion got an instant redo. WWE’s approach is inconsistent—some stars get rematches with no explanation, while others, like LA Knight after losing the United States Championship to Shinsuke Nakamura, have to claw their way back. Knight waited a month, won via disqualification, and then navigated triple threat matches just to earn another shot. Meanwhile, Belair and Sky are set for a contract signing on the next RAW, leaving Ripley out in the cold. The rules are murky, and that’s by design.
#4. A Loss Could Spark a Game-Changing Evolution
For three years, Ripley’s character has largely stayed the same. Even as a heel during her title reign, fans adored “Mami” and cheered her on. She officially turned face after Dominik Mysterio betrayed her for Liv Morgan, but her persona barely shifted—she just started facing the division’s villains. Missing out on the title picture could push Ripley into uncharted territory, shedding the Judgment Day vibes for a darker, more ruthless “Eradicator” that truly lives up to the name.
#3. WWE’s Booking Has Painted Itself Into a Corner
Triple H loves weaving intrigue into the road to WrestleMania, but sometimes that ambition backfires. Ripley cost Sky a spot in the Elimination Chamber, setting up their eventual title clash after the premium live event (PLE). Belair won the Chamber match and earned her title shot, but had Sky qualified instead of Liv Morgan, the landscape could’ve shifted. Morgan might still have claimed tag gold, and Ripley could’ve lost the belt to Sky in Vegas, with Naomi’s attack providing an excuse for Belair’s Chamber failure. Heck, Belair could’ve been revealed as Naomi’s assailant, adding a twist. Right now, the threads don’t fully connect—there’s more to unravel.
#2. Saving the Drama for After WrestleMania 41
Keeping Ripley out of Sky vs. Belair sets the stage for fireworks beyond WrestleMania. Shoving her into a triple threat risks muddling the outcome for all three women. Instead, Ripley could loom large in Vegas—seething in interviews, her frustration boiling over into interference during the title match. That chaos could shield the winner (likely Belair, given her standing) while keeping the division fresh post-show. With Becky Lynch possibly returning after WrestleMania, Ripley’s exclusion could ignite a massive angle to carry the story forward.
#1. Ripley Just Had Her Time in the Spotlight
Ripley’s year-long title reign was a defining chapter, bolstered by Charlotte Flair’s absence. After toppling The Queen, she held the gold through WrestleMania 40, beating Lynch before a minor injury forced her to step away. She reclaimed the belt briefly in 2025 but couldn’t sustain it. Compare that to Sky, whose six-month run ended last year—Ripley’s had her moment. Stepping back now lets her reinvent herself as a menacing heel, returning later as an even more dominant force.
