Rhea Ripley Vs. Charlotte Flair Set For WrestleMania 36

As expected, the big NXT Women's Championship match goes down in Tampa.

Rhea Ripley Charlotte Flair
WWE.com

Charlotte Flair will challenge for Rhea Ripley's NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36.

The long-rumoured match was confirmed during NXT TakeOver: Portland last night, with 'The Queen' attacking Ripley after a hard-fought victory over a game Bianca Belair, who earned her opportunity by winning a number one contender's battle royal a few weeks ago.

Belair was put away via Riptide after just over 13 minutes. Flair attacked immediately, catching 'The Nightmare' from behind before grabbing a microphone. "So I thought about it," she said, referring to the 'Mania challenge Ripley had issued her a few weeks ago, "and I'll see you at WrestleMania."

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Rhea ate Natural Selection before Flair eventually left the ring. Instead of marching up the ramp, however, Charlotte grabbed Bianca on the outside and threw her into the steps.

This bout has looked likely since this post-Rumble reports suggesting that Flair wouldn't challenge Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch or her SmackDown counterpart, Bayley, in Tampa. Charlotte recently showed up to confront Ripley in Full Sail University but was unable to answer the challenge thanks for Belair's involvement. Now, finally, everything is set in stone.

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Ripley vs. Flair joins WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre on the 'Mania card.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.