Rhea Ripley Remains On Top, Defeats Becky Lynch To Retain WWE Women’s World Title At WrestleMania XL
Mami remains on top.
Rhea Ripley retained the WWE Women’s World Championship in the opening bout of WrestleMania 40 Saturday, defeating Becky Lynch.
The finish saw Ripley fight out of a Manhandle Slam off the middle rope and then hit a buckle Riptide followed by a proper Riptide for the victory.
Earlier in the bout, Ripley kicked out of the Manhandle Slam and Becky kicked out of the Riptide. Becky also kicked out after an electric chair on the outside and a frog splash once they got back in the ring.
MAMI has arrived at #WrestleMania XL as @MIWband plays Women’s World Champion @RheaRipley_WWE to the ring in Philadelphia! pic.twitter.com/X8I2b7GJrc
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024
#RheaRipley DOMINATES at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/7kpvJ4MAa8
— WWE (@WWE) April 6, 2024
RHEA RIPLEY RETAINS —
WHAT. A. FU*KING. MATCH.
ONE OF THE GREATEST WRESTLEMANIA OPENER MATCHES OF ALL TIME.#WrestleMania
— EliteRockerz — (@EliteClubS0B) April 6, 2024
Becky and Rhea got special entrances for the bout. Becky did have a book inspired entrance to coincide with the release of her autobiography “The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl.” Ripley was played to the ring by Motionless In White.
Lynch was under the weather coming into the match, with Michael Cole saying she had strep throat and Pat McAfee saying she had a 102-degree fever.
This was the tenth successful title defense for Ripley. She’s held the title for 372 days after winning it from Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39.
Becky earned her title shot by winning the women’s Elimination Chamber match at WWE Elimination Chamber.
Fans can find Fightful’s coverage of WWE WrestleMania 40 Saturday by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the action by clicking here.
