After some confusing reports about her immigration status, Rhea Ripley returned to NXT last Wednesday for the first time since losing the Women’s title to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36.
She wanted to get her hands on Flair, who was defending the belt against Io Shirai. In doing so, she even preented an underhanded assault on Shirai by The Queen. But Io didn’t see it that way. Instead, the Genius of the Sky had an issue with Rhea sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Shirai probably thought Ripley wanted to cut the line and get a shot at Flair.
She was right. The Nightmare admitted as much on the May 13 NXT. But she is willing to face Shirai first, and essentially put a match with the champ on the line. So that’s what they’re gonna do next week.
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Io beat Rhea in the semi-finals of the 2018 Mae Young Classic. They circled each other once Ripley returned from NXT UK last fall, and spent time as teammates and enemies around WarGames and Survivor Series. But another singles match never materialized.
Until now.
Excited?