In a dramatic change of events, Natalya, a former WWE champion, triumphantly entered the ring on Monday Night RAW to face Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Title. The WWE Universe has been rocked by the highly anticipated contest between these two formidable sportsmen.
Natalya, who is renowned for her technical mastery and tenacity, is committed to taking back the top rank in the women’s division. The current champion, Ripley, is prepared to establish her supremacy and legacy in the meantime.
Rhea Ripley vs Natalya match overview
Former WWE champion Natalya suffered a humiliating defeat at Night of Champions when she challenged Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship. Ripley not only retained her title but also managed to finish the match in under two minutes, leaving Natalya embarrassed and seeking redemption.
The rivalry between Natalya and Ripley escalated further on the June 19 episode of RAW when Ripley launched a pre-match attack on Natalya, preventing their scheduled singles non-title match from taking place. Determined to prove herself, Natalya expressed her desire for a rematch with Ripley during the June 26 episode of RAW.
TOMORROW NIGHT on #WWERaw
Women's World Champion @RheaRipley_WWE defends against @NatbyNature! pic.twitter.com/A4mzQIW6Eg
— WWE (@WWE) July 2, 2023
Rhea Ripley’s journey as the Women’s World Champion began at WrestleMania 39 when she captured the SmackDown Women’s Championship. With her move to the RAW brand during the WWE Draft 2023, the title was renamed, and a new belt was introduced. The upcoming match between Ripley and Natalya will be her first televised title defense since the title’s rebranding.
The highly anticipated July 3 episode of RAW, broadcast live from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD, US, is set to feature the clash between Natalya and Ripley.
While only one match has been officially announced for the show thus far, the encounter between these two fierce competitors is expected to be a highlight of the night, as Natalya seeks retribution and Ripley aims to assert her dominance as the Women’s World Champion.
How many times Rhea Ripley has defended her title?
Rhea Ripley, one of WWE’s top stars, has been enjoying a successful reign as the Women’s World Champion. However, fans have noticed a lack of title defenses from the dominant champion. Since winning the title by defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39, Ripley has only defended her championship against Zelina Vega at Backlash and Natalya at Night of Champions, both restricted to premium live events.
The absence of title defenses has raised questions among fans, particularly with the upcoming Money in the Bank event approaching. Instead of defending her title, Ripley has been primarily involved in feuds related to Dominik. So, why hasn’t she been defending her championship?
https://twitter.com/ripleyloops/status/1675244568789303296?s=20
One possible explanation could be a lingering knee injury. During this year’s Royal Rumble, Ripley dislocated her knee and astonishingly popped it back into place to continue in the match. However, it appears that her knee has not fully healed, which could be a significant factor in her limited title defenses.
As Rhea Ripley’s reign as Women’s World Champion continues, some fans eagerly await her next opponent and a chance to witness her dominant in-ring abilities once again. Hopefully, as her knee heals, she will be able to defend her title more frequently and showcase her undeniable talent to the WWE Universe.
