2023 women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley challenged Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown women’s champion at WrestleMania 39.
The match was hard-hitting and told a story. Ripley’s imposing combination of strength and smarts was too much for Flair to overcome. Flair had her moments, as when she reversed Rhea’s riptide with a DDT that spiked Ripley on her head for a two count, but Ripley endured.
Towards the end of the match Ripley landed a terrifying German suplex that saw Flair land awkwardly on her head and face. Flair hit a moonsault to the outside, but Ripley turned the tables in the ring with a headbutt and Riptide combo. Ripley dropped Flair face first into the corner post and lands the Super Rip Tide to come the NEW Smackdown women’s champion!
#SmackDown Women’s Champion @MsCharlotteWWE & @RheaRipley_WWE clash on the Grandest Stage of Them All!#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/GfMDTsVm30
— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2023
What a counter by @RheaRipley_WWE in this #SmackDown #WomensTitle Match! 😲😲😲😲😲#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/RXkrjnvKUi
— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2023
