Rhea Ripley is okay with not headlining WrestleMania 39 (Night One), as she feels the men who did close the evening deserved the coveted spot.
In the run-up to WrestleMania 39, there was debate as to whether Ripley’s match with Charlotte Flair or the Undisputed Tag Team Championship match would close Night One.
In the end, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens’ emotional victory over The Usos closed out the evening and marked the end of the record-long title reign of the brothers.
On a recent edition of the “Notsam Wrestling” podcast, Ripley was fine with not closing out Night One of WWE’s biggest event of 2023. She said,
“We just wanted to go out there, and we wanted to steal the show. [The] build wasn’t there, other one was, and I completely understand it. I think the boys really deserved that main event spot, but we wanted to go out there and we wanted to prove that with the proper build, we could have had that spot and we could’ve stolen the whole entire show and knocked it off with such a perfect match.”
Ripley would defeat Flair to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship which she holds to this day as the reigning Women’s World Champion.
Rhea Ripley, the current SmackDown Women’s Champion and reigning Women’s World Champion, recently expressed her contentment with not headlining WrestleMania 39 (Night One). Ripley stated that she believed the men who closed the evening deserved the coveted spot.
Leading up to WrestleMania 39, there was a debate among fans and experts about whether Ripley’s match with Charlotte Flair or the Undisputed Tag Team Championship match would be the main event of Night One. Ultimately, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens’ emotional victory over The Usos closed out the evening, marking the end of the brothers’ record-long title reign.
During a recent episode of the “Notsam Wrestling” podcast, Ripley shared her thoughts on not closing out Night One. She acknowledged that the build-up for her match was not as strong as the other one, and she understood why the boys deserved the main event spot. However, Ripley and Flair aimed to go out there and prove that with the proper build, they could have stolen the show and delivered a perfect match.
In the end, Ripley defeated Flair to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship, a title she still holds today as the reigning Women’s World Champion. Despite not headlining WrestleMania 39, Ripley’s performance and victory solidified her position as one of the top female wrestlers in WWE.
Ripley’s comments highlight her professionalism and dedication to her craft. Instead of being disappointed or bitter about not being in the main event, she focused on delivering an outstanding match and showcasing her abilities. Her willingness to put on a great performance regardless of her position on the card demonstrates her commitment to entertaining the fans and contributing to the overall success of WrestleMania.
The fact that Ripley is comfortable with not headlining WrestleMania 39 also speaks to the progress made in women’s wrestling within WWE. In recent years, female wrestlers have been given more prominent roles and opportunities to showcase their skills. This shift has allowed fans to witness incredible matches and storylines featuring women, and it is a testament to the talent and hard work of performers like Ripley.
As the wrestling industry continues to evolve, it is important to recognize and appreciate the contributions of both male and female wrestlers. While headlining WrestleMania is undoubtedly a significant achievement, it is equally important to focus on the quality of matches and the overall entertainment value that each performer brings to the table.
Rhea Ripley’s attitude towards not headlining WrestleMania 39 exemplifies the mindset of a true professional. Her dedication to her craft and willingness to deliver a memorable performance regardless of her position on the card is commendable. As she continues to hold the SmackDown Women’s Championship and the Women’s World Championship, fans can look forward to witnessing more incredible moments from Ripley in the future.