The WWE continues to add title defenses to the next WWE PPV, the Night of Champions, on May 27. The latest champion who will put her belt on the line is Rhea Ripley.
Less than a month after successfully defending her SmackDown Women's Championship at WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico, The Judgment Day member, who's been nicknamed by audiences as "Mami", has set her sights on the veteran WWE superstar, Natalya.
Ripley's rivalry with Natalya started when the incumbent champion interrupted a returning Apollo Crews to challenge the former SmackDown Women's Champion, telling Natalya that she'll make "an example" out of her in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Natalya responded in kind, promising to end Ripley's short reign as champion.
Natalya is a sure-fire Hall of Famer based on her long and storied career. But, her recent track record doesn't inspire much confidence. Natalya's last solo win dates back to last year, over Cora Jade on "NXT". She's since lost to Ronda Rousey at last year's Money in the Bank event while also failing to win with Shotzi at WrestleMania 39 in a four-way women's tag team match.
On the other hand, Ripley is currently undefeated in her brief tenure at the top of the WWE RAW Women's division. Ripley's short but impactful tenure as the champion has earned her the nickname "The Eradicator" as she's bulldozed her way through her opponents.
Ripley is also part of The Judgment Day, alongside her on-screen partner, Dominik Mysterio, so the odds aren't in Natalya's favor.
With Rhea Ripley pledging to make Natalya regret being drafted to RAW and threatening to end her Hall of Fame-worthy career, this year's Night of Champions on May 27 just got a lot more interesting.
Speaking of Ripley, Dominik Mysterio spoke highly of the WWE SmackDown Women's Champion. According to Mysterio, she and the rest of The Judgment Day were there for him when he got out of prison. Finally, Dominik believes that it's time for him to win a solo championship, citing Gunther's Intercontinental Championship belt as a potential target.
