The life of a champion in WWE is far from an easy one. You have a target on your back, and have to be the face of your division. This is especially hard for Rhea Ripley, who is the current NXT Women’s Champion, having beaten Shayna Baszler for the title. She has defended against Toni Storm at Worlds Collide & Binaca Belair at NXT Takeover Tampa. Her next confirmed challenger is a huge one. This is the winner of the women’s Royal Rumble, Charlotte Flair. They will meet at Wrestlemania, which left NXT Takeover Tampa without an NXT Women’s Championship match. This is unless Rhea Ripley gets her way.
Rhea Ripley Is A Fighting Champion
Speaking with Alex McCarthy of TalkSport, Rhea Ripley had the following to say. “If the championship has to be defended, the championship has to be defended. I’m a fighting champ, so I’ll be there.” This simple statement says a lot about Rhea as a performer, as no one would have complained if she just worked Wrestlemania, and focused on the biggest match in the history of the NXT Women’s Championship. Instead, she is ready to work double duty, and she would almost certainly give her all in both matches.
Who Could She Face At NXT Takeover Tampa?
The NXT Women’s Division has many people who could step up and face Ripley at the event. One option if she returns from injury is Io Shirai, who before an unfortunate leg injury derailed her was on her way to the biggest star of the divison. Another choice is Raquel Gonzalez. Gonzalez made her prescence known at NXT Takeover Portland, where she would get involved in Dakota Kai vs. Tegan Nox. She would attempt to put Nox through a table, which failed to break.
Gonzalez is sure to make an impact in the time between now and Wrestlemania weekend, and with her star potential and unique look, she is set for a huge push. Being placed right into a hard hitting match at an NXT Takeover would be a sink or swim moment for her, but the outcome would be incredible.
Who would you want to see face Rhea Ripley at NXT Takeover Tampa? Should she defend her championship at the event, or focus on Charlotte Flair and Wrestlemania? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
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