Will Bayley face Rhea Ripley at Royal Rumble after name-dropping WWE women’s champion on Smackdown?

Bayley, a WWE veteran of more than a decade and the leader of Damage CTRL, is a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion and holds the record for the longest reign as the blue brand’s champion.

Since Charlotte Flair lost the Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39 on April 1, 2023, Bayley has been targeting the gold, which was later changed to the Women’s World Championship. Recently, the 34-year-old star shared a post on social media where she challenged the champion directly, stating that she’s coming for her.

Is Bayley going to fight Rhea Ripley?

Bayley during this week’s Friday Night SmackDown event sat on the commentary table while Katana Chance & Kayden Carter faced off against challengers Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn for the Women’s Tag Team Championship.

As she was behind the table, she shared how she would win the Women’s Royal Rumble on January 27 and even dubbed herself the ‘Mami Slayer.’ Bayley has made it clear that she will face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40 for the Women’s World Championship in 2024 after she gets the battle royal victory.

Both Rhea Ripley and Bayley have faced each other for a total of four times. Among these matches, Bayley never won any one-on-one match against Ripley. The Damage CTRL leader’s name was the first in the official match card for the Royal Rumble 2024, followed by Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, and Bianca Belair.

Bayley has been playing a major role in the women’s division of the Blue brand and fans are hoping to see her get the title shot she deserves. During an interview with the New York Post, Bayley talked to Joseph Staszewski about potentially challenging Rhea Ripley.

“She is obviously untouchable. She is the most talked about woman on TV right now and she backs it up. She doesn’t just have the look. She doesn’t just have the body. She doesn’t just have – besides Damage CTRL – a badass group to align with. She’s so good and it makes me so mad. ‘I’m like why are you so good, you are so young.’”

Mami has not yet responded to Bayley’s challenge. Rhea has already made it clear that she is hoping to face Becky Lynch after ‘The Man’ wins her Road to WrestleMania moment for the second time. Bayley has yet to win a Royal Rumble match, as Asuka was the first victor from the women’s division, followed by Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Ronda Rousey, and Rhea Ripley.

When did Rhea Ripley last defend her title?

The Eradicator of The Judgment Day became the Women’s World Championship holder after defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 in April 2023. Following her title victory, Ripley began dominating the women’s division. Her last title defense was on WWE RAW in September, facing Raquel Rodriguez in a rematch from Payback 2023.

The match featured numerous maneuvers between Ripley and Rodriguez, and although Rhea retained her title with a pinfall, it was only after Nia Jax interfered and attacked Raquel. After Ripley’s victory, Jax also attacked her, solidifying her return.

Royal Rumble is only a week away and fans are hoping to see their favorite superstar take the win. The WWE universe is highly anticipating the event at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hopes to see some former superstars like Mercedes Mone and Trinity make a surprise comeback in the women’s Royal Rumble match.

What do you think of Bayley’s challenge? Do you think it will impact the Royal Rumble? Let us know in the comments section below!