10 New Directions For WWE After Clash In Italy 2026

8. Charlotte Flair Going After Rhea Ripley

Alexa Bliss was conspicuous by her absence at Clash In Italy when Charlotte Flair helped Rhea Ripley retain the Women's Title. That felt deliberate. Michin and B-FAB were on hand to back up Jade Cargill, but Charlotte was the only friend 'Mami' had when pushing back against the numbers disadvantage, and that proved to be more than enough.

Now, on TV, Flair may argue that she’s due a title shot after helping Ripley at Clash. One can see a number one contenders bout coming between Charlotte and Jade before then though. Maybe that'll go down at Saturday Night's Main Event on 18 July if Night Of Champions near the end of June doesn’t suit?

That's creative's call, but they've got some good material to work with. Cargill entered arguably her slickest performance inside a WWE ring to date opposite Rhea (who will take most of the credit for that), and Flair has been receiving rapturous applause as a babyface for well over a year now. If Flair vs. Ripley feels too soon, then a Triple Threat could well buy the company some more time.

Jade will benefit from some more house show reps over the summer too. Just saying.

The frosty friendship stuff between Ripley and Flair won't last forever. They're natural enemies, because they're a couple of alpha females who'd logically bump heads and want to fly solo. Following Sunday, Charlotte has a legitimate claim to securing a favour from Rhea. That favour, of course, being a crack at her title as soon as possible.