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Rhea Ripley Furious Over Dropping Women's World Championship To IYO SKY On WWE Raw

She's not blaming anyone but herself, but Rhea Ripley is every level of angry after losing her Women's World Championship to IYO SKY on Monday Night Raw.
Rick Ucchino|
Rhea Ripley is completely distraught over losing the title: Raw exclusive, March 3, 2025
Rhea Ripley is completely distraught over losing the title: Raw exclusive, March 3, 2025 | WWE

WrestleMania season has been turned on its head in just a matter of a few days.

The shockwaves of John Cena's brutal assault on Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber were still reverberating across the wrestling landscape when IYO SKY stunned fans yet again by defeating Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship Monday night on Raw.

Women's Elimination Chamber winner Bianca Belair was sitting ringside for last night's main event and inadvertently, or perhaps quite purposefully, ended up playing a major role in the outcome of the match.

A brief shoving match between the now former champion and her would be opponent at WrestleMania 41, gave SKY the window of opportunity she needed to capture her second major championship on the main roster. In a WWE Digital Exclusive, The Nightmare blamed no one for her loss but herself.

“I’m pissed off. I’m mad, I’m furious. I’m everything. Every single angry feeling, I am feeling. But the thing is, I can’t get mad at IYO. I can’t fully be mad at Bianca. I’m more disappointed and mad at myself because I should have known better. I should have known not to take my eye off the ball. I’ve been through this crap with Liv Morgan. I’ve been through all this with Dom, I’ve been through it with Judgment Day, and I still cannot learn. I cannot learn to think for myself, and I cannot learn to keep my eye on the ball, and I cannot learn that friends are not real."

Ripley appeared to be closing in on her first ever victory over IYO SKY Monday night, but allowed her emotions to get the better of her in the biggest moment.

When she noticed that Belair was sitting next to commentary, actively cheering on her opponent, Rhea said she felt hurt. One match away from their duel dream bout at WrestleMania and now Bianca was rooting against it taking place.

Ripley couldn't help but feel as though the friendship and respect she shared with Bianca was being betrayed in that moment.

"I understand that IYO’s a part of that, too. We all have teamed together. We’ve all been there for each other, we’ve been here since NXT together. Growing up together, coming to the main roster together, all of that. But... Every single time people ask me who my opponent is for WrestleMania that I want, it’s always Bianca Belair. We were both on the WWE 2K24 cover together. We’ve literally been growing up on each side, on each brand, and just taking over, and now, everything that I wanted and everything that I worked for and everything that I strived to get back and be dominant, it’s all taken away, and it’s all because I’m just so stupid. I’m so stupid, I’m so stupid."
Rhea Ripley - WWE Digital Exclusive

The loss puts Rhea Ripley's path to WrestleMania in serious doubt as IYO SKY will now defend the WWE Women's World Championship against Bianca Belair this April in Las Vegas.

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Published | Modified
Rick Ucchino
RICK UCCHINO

Rick Ucchino is the Assistant Editor & Content Coordinator for The Takedown on SI. He also works full-time for 700WLW Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio as a local news and sports anchor, in addition to his time covering the Cincinnati Bengals for Sirius XM. Rick has been on the professional wrestling beat since 2019, having provided coverage for a number of outlets, including Fightful, SB Nation’s Cageside Seats and the Bleav Podcast Network. With an educational background in theater, creative writing and journalism, Rick focuses primarily on the storytelling aspect of pro wrestling, but he’s no stranger to the squared circle himself. He had the privilege of training with former WWE & WCW cruiserweight Jimmy Wang Yang for nearly two years and retired early due to back issues with a perfect 1-0 record in singles competition. Rick is a married father of two incredibly adorable children, who are budding pro wrestling fans themselves. Much to the chagrin of their mother. You can reach Rick at rwucchino@gmail.com

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