10 Ups & 6 Downs For WWE In 2023 (So Far)
3. Rhea Ripley’s Redemption
A critically-derided loss to Charlotte Flair in 2020 sent Rhea Ripley spiralling a bit, but she's recovered to stand tall as a powerhouse even Chyna would quake in her boots at. Rhea's role in Judgment Day is strong, and she's experienced a lot of success this year already.
January's Royal Rumble win and her 'Mania 39 title triumph both hit hard.
Ripley has even managed to sidestep speed bump-style challengers by first bringing the best out in underdog Zelina Vega at Backlash and then squashing the veteran Natalya at Night Of Champions. She's on a real roll, and things would be even rosier if WWE could only sort out the post-Draft title confusion.
Incredibly, it doesn't look like Rhea is going to let that mess wreck the quite-excellent time she's having on top of the world. She's blossomed into the star best-placed to take women's wrestling through the rest of the decade.
Here's to more.