After the initial delay in playing out the storyline between the two, Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez finally got to battle it out at WWE Payback 2023. With Ripley’s Women’s World Title hanging in the balance, the two behemoth figures of the women’s division delivered slugfest and ultimately the champion prevailed via Judgment Day’s pendant mean antics.
Before competing in this title match at WWE Payback 2023, Ripley previously interfered in the Undisputed Tag Team Title Match. On behalf of Judgment Day, she sent Kevin Owens through the barricade to ensure Damian Priest and Finn Balor’s victory. Then in her own match, it was Dominik Mysterio who helped her out.
Rhea Ripley was the dominant performer at the beginning of the match at WWE Payback 2023 as she put Rodriguez in submission holds targeting her previously injured knee. It was Ripley herself who caused the injury in the first place and she looked to injure it again during the match. Rodriguez countered by trying to deliver a powerbomb, but Ripley managed to escape.
WWE Payback 2023: Seth Rollins Attacked After Successful World Title Defense
WWE Payback 2023: Dominik Mysterio helps Rhea Ripley to retain title
Ripley again looked for a submission move on Rodriguez’s knee but the challenger was able to free herself before unleashing on the champion. Rodriguez slammed Ripley into the barricade and then into the ring post. It was then when Dominik Mysterio stumbled out to the ring to help out Ripley. Rodriguez hit a running slam on Mysterio, but this distraction was enough for Ripley to hit Rodriguez in the injured knee and hit her with a Riptide to retain the Women’s World Championship at WWE Payback 2023.
Lacey Evans Opened Premium Content Paywall Fansite After 2023 WWE Exit
Originally this match from WWE Payback 2023 was supposed to go down at last month’s Summerslam. As reported by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Rhea Ripley was always slated to wrestle at the biggest party of the summer. Ultimately, WWE wanted her story with Raquel to play out for longer and things got postponed,
“The only match not announced is Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez for the World women’s title. We were told that as of last word, it was still on the show, although they are doing a knee injury angle with Rodriguez.”
Once the match at WWE Payback 2023 was over, Raquel seemed furious over how Dominik played his part in the bygone match and prohibited her from becoming the new champion. She is seemingly not done with the champion which indicates a rematch with Ripley at the next WWE PLE, Fastlane in October.
