8 New Directions For WWE After Backlash 2026

4. IYO SKY Challenging Rhea Ripley

WWE Raw Iyo Sky Rhea Ripley
WWE

IYO SKY patched things up with old mentor Asuka after beating her on Saturday. Assuming she doesn't go after Women's World Champion Liv Morgan or try to win the Women's Intercontinental Title, then only one plot line makes sense for the 'Genius Of The Sky': Tangling with her pal Rhea Ripley.

WWE would have to go babyface vs. babyface with it at first, then they can build up to a heel turn for one of them in time for WrestleMania 43 next year. Yep, all that long-term planning will pay off if everybody's willing to be patient. Rhea defending vs. IYO would be ace for Clash In Italy or even beyond that if Triple H has already mentally front loaded that European jaunt.

If Asuka sticks around (which is a big if at the moment), then SKY can maybe team with her again in the interim. That might actually be a neat way to kill time so creative don't have to pull the trigger on IYO vs. Rhea too early. Can they work in May 2026 then ride this story all the way to April 2027? Absolutely, but only with some serious thought and care.

Over to you, writers. It's their job to come up with this stuff and make it work.

Ripley vs. SKY is one of the biggest women's matches available these days, so why not double up with a baby vs. baby showdown then have one of them (surely Rhea as things stand) go rogue deeper into the year? It's worth exploring.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.