Due to injury, WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley was forced to vacate her title last week to open up Monday Night Raw.
With the long-term rivalry between Ripley and Liv Morgan, tensions rose as Liv attacked Rhea two weeks ago, hurting her arm. Ripley has been the most dominant woman in her division, beating the best and squashing numerous that came her way. Rhea was champion for 380 days, tying Bailey’s reign as the longest in the title's lineage (previously the Smackdown Women's Championship).
Later tonight, there will be a battle royal to determine the next Women’s World Champion, just a week after Ripley vacated the belt. With that in mind, five superstars may be next in line.
No. 5) Becky Lynch
“The Man” Becky Lynch faced Rhea at Wrestlemania 40 a few weeks ago where she was defeated. It was announced that Becky and her husband, Seth Freakin Rollins, who's confirmed to have worked Mania weekend on a torn meniscus, would take some off time, but plans may change due to Rhea Ripley’s injury.
Becky was seen at some house shoes overseas, so she may be in the Battle Royale. I could see her lasting until the very end. She’s solidified herself as an all-time great in her career, and a win here would be another monumental moment for her.
No. 4) Jade Cargill
Although Jade Cargill is new to the WWE, the former TBS Champion in AEW has the potential to be one of the best in the women’s division. With the WWE draft approaching, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cargill, a current Smackdown wrestler, end up in this match later tonight, akin to Kurt Angle entering and winning a battle royal as a surprise entrant for the then-vacant World Heavyweight Championship in early 2006.
Making her debut in the Royal Rumble in early 2024, Jade has taken the women’s division by storm with her fierce attitude and strength. At Wrestlemania 40, we finally saw her wrestle in a match other than the Royal Rumble when she teamed up with Naomi and Bianca Belair to face the Kabuki Warriors and Dakota Kai. Jade looked well-rounded, and she’d have the belt on her very soon.
No. 3) Zoey Stark
Zoey Stark and Rhea faced each other back at Survivor Series: War Games, where Zoey suffered defeat. She's made a name for herself since she’s been promoted from NXT, showing that she can compete on the main stage and deliver when needed. A win for Stark would push her career to the highest level and create many great rivalries during her reign.
No. 2) Natalya
I’m rooting for Natalya in this match. She’s one of the most underrated in the women’s division, and she deserves one more title run before she hangs up the boots, whenever that may be. Natalya hasn’t won a singles championship since 2017, but another shot at the gold would cement her legacy in the women’s division.
No. 1) Liv Morgan
This one is pretty obvious since Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan have a rivalry that dates back years. Rhea injured Liv Morgan, and now Liv evened the score two weeks ago, where Ripley suffered a legitimate injury during that backstage ambush. These women will see each other again in the future, and having Liv Morgan win the championship in this battle royale would intensify the rivalry.
Man mage va