21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I'm just getting started": Rhea Ripley sends a strong message after victory over Raquel Rodriguez at WWE Night of Champions
Rhea Ripley (Image Source: Getty)
Rhea Ripley shows up in one of the hardest-fought matches of her career, defeating Raquel Rodriguez in a brutal Street Fight at the WWE Night of Champions. In front of a raucous crowd inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the bitter rivals and former tag team partners went to war.
Ripley finished the hard-hitting war after just 20 minutes, capping off a brutal night with an Avalanche Riptide through a table that sent a message to every girl backstage and fans around the globe:
'I'm a 28-year-old veteran and I'm just getting started.'
Rhea Ripley pushes through pain and betrayal
It wasn't only a contest of strength; the match was a personal war. Once upon a time, Ripley and Rodriguez ruled the women's tag division until their partnership wilted under the weight of inflated egos and ambition.
Rodriguez started in the larger body here, and she quickly utilized that size to bully her way to the front. But Ripley, as usual, clawed and scraped.
Things were relatively calm until halfway through the match when Roxy's Judgment Day partner, Rhea Ripley, interfered on her behalf, but only to get booted in the face by Ripley. At this point, it was obvious Ripley wished to do so on her terms.
Ripley battled through pain and blood, much of it visible, including severe bruising around her ribs from repeated kendo stick shots, to work through the match.
The conclusion of the bout saw a stunning Avalanche Riptide from the top rope and Rodriguez being sent through a table to take the three count. Ripley got up after the bell—bloodied but unbowed. The same fierce gaze she had always given was dulled by neither satisfaction nor hunger for what fades before her.
Rhea Rhipley eyes championship gold and
SummerSlam
With Iyo Sky holding the Women's World Championship, the groundwork is laid for a title match at SummerSlam. With the win, Ripley has reclaimed her momentum, and the message is clear: WWE's women's division is on notice.
Also Read:
WWE Night of Champions 2025 Results: Rhea Ripley rips through Raquel Rodriguez to win the Street Fight
From rivalries to brutality to championship pursuit, Rhea Ripley announced to the world that she isn't finished yet. Ripley is thriving and not just surviving. Even at the tender age of 28, her poise suggests a veteran of the stage. But her victory against Rodriguez was no ordinary victory—it was a declaration of war not just for Rodriguez but for anyone in the way of her title shot. And if her words are anything to be believed, this is only the start.
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