During Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth pay-per-view event, Rhea Ripley defeated Nia Jax to retain the WWE Women’s World Championship.
Meanwhile, Becky Lynch overcame five other Superstars to win the women’s Elimination Chamber match and punch her ticket to WrestleMania 40.
As has been announced, Ripley will defend the WWE Women’s World Title against Lynch at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, PA.
In a post-match interview, Ripley addressed her victory as well as her upcoming title defense against Lynch at WrestleMania XL.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On her victory: “It’s hard to put into words how special this is to be honest. I’m still so taken back by the crowd reaction, actually seeing my family out there, and to be completely honest, at the very end when I had that extra time to myself, I let that fully sink in. And it’s funny because I had a weird flashback over my last match here in Australia. And I defended my title then. I left champion because Mami’s always on top, you know, but I remember sitting in the middle of the ring, and soaking it all in, and soaking up the ring, and letting them in and letting them affect me in a way that I don’t really try and let them affect me. And I did the same thing tonight without even meaning to. It was a raw, awesome moment for me. It really was.”
On facing Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40: “I think heading into WrestleMania against Becky Lynch is a real bucket list moment. I’ve nearly knocked off everyone in the women’s division, and Becky is the last one. I haven’t stepped in the ring with her since NXT, and it was a DQ with Shayna Baszler. So we’ve never had a finish to our match, so I think it’s very fitting that it happens at Mania, and I hope that Becky is ready. Otherwise, her nightmares are going to become a reality, and Mami’s going to end up on top just like she always damn does.”
Ripley also discussed those topics in another post-match interview with the Daily Mail Sport.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On potentially headlining WrestleMania 40: “Mami already main evented her WrestleMania. Why not do the next one as well? I think Becky Lynch and I stepping into the ring is Mania main event worthy. I really do. The last time we faced each other was NXT leading up to Survivor Series and WarGames. That was Mama’s time to shine and it’s still Mami’s time to shine. Mami is always on top and I’ve proved that time and time again.”
On facing Becky Lynch: “If we are given the opportunity. If we take the opportunity to be main event, I hope Becky Lynch is ready. She can cut me off and run her mouth and say that I’m a lazy champion; I just proved I’m not a lazy champion. I went out there and beat Nia Jax, the person that beat you. I also beat Lyra Valkyria, the person that beat you for the NXT Women’s Championship. That’s two for two. Why not make it three for three and beat you at WrestleMania.”
🗣️ ‘I’m letting you guys see the vulnerable side of me’@WWE Women’s World Champion @RheaRipley_WWE speaks to @AlexMcCarthy88 IMMEDIATELY after defending her title in her home country, and welcomes @BeckyLynchWWE’s #Wrestlemania challenge 🔥#WWE #EliminationChamber pic.twitter.com/PgY0GqG2LK
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) February 24, 2024
Rhea Ripley Retains WWE Women’s World Championship, Sets Up WrestleMania 40 Showdown with Becky Lynch
In an electrifying match at the WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth pay-per-view event, Rhea Ripley successfully defended her WWE Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax. The victory solidifies Ripley’s reign as the champion and sets the stage for an epic showdown at WrestleMania 40 against Becky Lynch.
The women’s Elimination Chamber match was a thrilling affair, with Becky Lynch emerging victorious after overcoming five other Superstars. With her win, Lynch secured her spot in the main event of WrestleMania 40, where she will challenge Ripley for the coveted title.
The highly anticipated clash between Ripley and Lynch was officially announced following the event. The two formidable competitors will face off in Philadelphia, PA, in what promises to be a historic encounter.
In a post-match interview, Ripley expressed her emotions about her victory and the upcoming title defense against Lynch at WrestleMania 40. She described the moment as special and reflected on the overwhelming crowd reaction and the presence of her family. Ripley also shared a personal anecdote about her previous match in Australia, where she defended her title and had a profound moment of realization in the ring. She admitted that she unintentionally replicated that experience during her recent victory, making it a raw and unforgettable moment for her.
When asked about facing Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40, Ripley expressed her excitement and called it a bucket list moment. She highlighted that she has already faced and defeated almost everyone in the women’s division, with Lynch being the final challenge. The two wrestlers have not had a conclusive match since their encounter in NXT, which ended in a disqualification due to interference from Shayna Baszler. Ripley believes it is fitting that their rivalry reaches its climax at WrestleMania, and she warned Lynch to be prepared. She confidently stated that if Lynch underestimates her, her nightmares will become a reality, and Ripley will emerge victorious.
In another post-match interview with the Daily Mail Sport, Ripley addressed the possibility of headlining WrestleMania 40. She confidently stated that she has already main evented a WrestleMania and sees no reason why she shouldn’t do it again. Ripley believes that her match against Lynch is worthy of being the main event and emphasized that she has consistently proven herself as a top performer.
Regarding her upcoming clash with Lynch, Ripley responded to Lynch’s criticism of her being a lazy champion. She reminded Lynch that she defeated Nia Jax, who had previously beaten Lynch, and also triumphed over Lyra Valkyria, the wrestler who dethroned Lynch as the NXT Women’s Champion. Ripley sees her match against Lynch at WrestleMania as an opportunity to make it three victories in a row and solidify her dominance.
The anticipation for the Ripley vs. Lynch showdown at WrestleMania 40 continues to build, with fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be an epic battle between two fierce competitors. As the event draws nearer, the wrestling world will be buzzing with excitement and speculation about the outcome of this highly anticipated match.