Rhea Ripley Championship Belts: A Legacy of Dominance
Rhea Ripley is one of the most dominant superstars in professional wrestling today. From her early days in NXT to her reigns on the main roster, Ripley has cemented herself as a powerhouse in WWE’s women’s division. Her championship victories have defined her career, showcasing her evolution as a wrestler and solidifying her status as a top-tier competitor. In this article, we’ll explore Rhea Ripley’s championship belts, detailing her title reigns, the significance of each belt, and what makes her a standout champion.
Early Days: NXT UK Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley’s journey to WWE stardom began in NXT UK, where she became the first-ever NXT UK Women’s Champion.
NXT UK Women’s Championship Reign
Date Won: August 26, 2018 (aired November 28, 2018)
Opponent Defeated: Toni Storm (Finals of NXT UK Women’s Title Tournament)
Reign Duration: 139 days
Key Defenses: Against Isla Dawn and Toni Storm
Ripley’s victory marked a historic moment as she became the inaugural champion. Her reign showcased her aggressive style and set the tone for the NXT UK Women’s division. She dominated opponents with her strength and presence, proving she was destined for bigger opportunities.
Breaking Through: NXT Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley’s success in NXT UK paved the way for her to compete in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand. Her defining moment came when she defeated Shayna Baszler to capture the NXT Women’s Championship.
NXT Women’s Championship Reign
Date Won: December 18, 2019
Opponent Defeated: Shayna Baszler
Reign Duration: 108 days
Key Defenses: Against Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair
This victory was monumental, as Baszler had been a dominant champion with a 416-day reign. Ripley’s win was met with one of the loudest crowd reactions in NXT history. Her reign included a successful title defense at WWE Worlds Collide 2020, where she defeated Toni Storm. However, her reign ended at WrestleMania 36, when she lost the title to Charlotte Flair in a critically acclaimed match.
Main Roster Success: Raw Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley officially moved to WWE’s main roster in 2021 and quickly made an impact. She challenged Asuka at WrestleMania 37 and won her first Raw Women’s Championship.
Raw Women’s Championship Reign
Date Won: April 11, 2021 (WrestleMania 37)
Opponent Defeated: Asuka
Reign Duration: 98 days
Key Defenses: Against Asuka and Charlotte Flair
Ripley’s reign as Raw Women’s Champion was significant as it established her as a top star on the main roster. She engaged in a heated rivalry with Charlotte Flair, culminating in a title match at Money in the Bank 2021, where Flair defeated her to reclaim the championship.
Tag Team Gold: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Rhea Ripley also made her mark in the tag team division alongside Nikki A.S.H. as they captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Reign
Date Won: September 20, 2021
Opponents Defeated: Natalya & Tamina
Reign Duration: 64 days
Key Defenses: Against Carmella & Zelina Vega
While their reign was short, it showed Ripley’s versatility as she adapted to a tag team role. However, it was clear that her real dominance would come in singles competition.
Judgment Day Era: SmackDown & Women’s World Championship
In 2022, Rhea Ripley joined The Judgment Day, aligning herself with Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio. This new faction elevated her character, making her one of the most feared superstars in WWE. She eventually earned a title shot at WrestleMania 39 against Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Reign
Date Won: April 1, 2023 (WrestleMania 39)
Opponent Defeated: Charlotte Flair
Reign Duration: Renamed to Women’s World Championship
Ripley’s victory over Flair at WrestleMania 39 was considered one of the best women’s matches in WWE history. Her reign was later rebranded as the Women’s World Championship following WWE’s title unification changes. She has since defended the title against top challengers, including Zelina Vega, Raquel Rodriguez, and Nia Jax.
Why Rhea Ripley’s Championship Belts Matter
Each of Rhea Ripley’s championship wins has contributed to her legacy. She became the first woman to hold the NXT UK, NXT, Raw, and SmackDown Women’s Championships, proving she is a generational talent. Her powerful in-ring style, combined with her unique look and persona, makes her one of WWE’s biggest attractions.
Conclusion
Rhea Ripley’s championship reigns reflect her dominance, adaptability, and star power. From her historic NXT UK Women’s Championship win to her current reign as Women’s World Champion, Ripley has proven time and time again why she is one of the best wrestlers in the world. As her career progresses, fans eagerly anticipate her future title defenses and the possibility of her adding even more championship gold to her resume