Welcome back to our daily feature: eWrestlingNews Question of the Day!
The WWE Universe was surprised when Rhea Ripley was unexpectedly removed from the NXT storyline this Tuesday due to an unwelcomed injury to her right orbital socket. There is currently no information available regarding how long Ripley’s recovery will take. This has led to considerable uncertainty in terms of booking future scenarios.
Before the injury, it was speculated that Ripley could have been a strong candidate for a title shot. However, with the injury setback, this expectation has been put on hold until Ripley is given the green light to fight again. In this volatile situation, what are your thoughts on how WWE should outline the future trajectories of Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Rhea Ripley?
Choose your stance on the matter and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
On my part…
While there isn’t noticeable panic around this issue, I would argue that Ripley’s injury has the potential to upset the current magnitude of the wrestling landscape significantly. Liv Morgan, despite holding the title for a commendable period and having faced numerous interim feuds, appears to be running out of formidable challengers.
Looking at Morgan’s possible opponents such as Lyra Valkyrie, Natalya, or Zelina Vega, I’m left feeling uninspired. Maximum Dupri, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter still have work to do before compelling as substantial contenders. The same applies to Damage CTRL, who, despite a heel turn, has most of their team on the injured list.
If Ripley’s recovery period is near about a month, then Morgan could pass the time with Natalya by her side. While this might not be a show-stopper, it could serve as a respectable filler till Ripley makes her comeback for WrestleMania 41.
Should Ripley’s comeback be delayed to the tail end of February or March, WrestleMania may have to proceed without the potential match between Morgan and Ripley. However, the absence of a worthy nemesis might detract from the grandeur of the event. Given this, it will be interesting to see how the WWE manages short-term match bookings for Liv Morgan in the post-Rhea Ripley era.
If the recovery period surpasses a month, an alternative angle could be to set Natalya against another contender. Here, a battle royal can be organized to determine the next title contender, with Natalya emerging victorious by eliminating Raquel. This storyline will keep audiences engaged until Ripley’s return.
In conclusion, irrespective of how things unfold, one can only hope for a swift recovery for Ripley and get her back in contention for the title.
We’re excited to hear your views, so feel free to share them in the comment section!