On the May 19 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Rhea Ripley defeated Kairi Sane and Zoey Stark to move in the 2025 edition of the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match, set for June 7. In it, she'll have the opportunity to capture the briefcase and earn a shot at the women's championship of her choice, when she wants it. It was pretty easy to predict that she'd be in this spot and some fans responded with a collected eye roll. Are fans getting tired of Rhea Ripley's dominance? It's a question worth discussing.
Rhea Ripley is a star who deserves her position
Rhea Ripley is a megastar. Full stop. At just 28 years old, Ripley has developed into one of the biggest stars in not only the WWE, but in the business. She has the look, character, and in-ring abilities to be a foundation pillar for the future of professional wrestling. No one would argue that point.
However, there's a growing contingent of fans who are pushing back at the idea of her remaining a featured spot in the title picture. That hasn't always been the case. Think back to her initial introdcution on the main roster. She'd defeat Asuka for the WWE Raw Women's Championship, just to lose it to Charlotte Flair, the second title she'd lose to Flair in a little more than a year. Fans were concerned that Ripley would not get the opportunity to fully bloosom on the main roster, instead being cast as a background character to Flair.
Rhea Ripley persisted though, and overcame that challenge to become the biggest name on the women's roster. She's coming off her second run as WWE Women's World Champion, holding that belt for a combined 436 days. Since defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39, 780 days have passed. Ripley has held the championship for 436 of them which equates to 56 percent of the time. When she didn't have the title she was either dealing with an injury or facing off against Liv Morgan for said championship.
Yes, the data does show that "Mami" consistently remains at or near the top of the card. In many ways, she's reminescent of John Cena's powerful run as champion or top challenger for most of his career. Fans turned on him in that position, just for some to circle back around to him now that he's preparing for his retirement.
This isn't a Rhea Ripley problem, it is a WWE problem
It would be unfair to denigrate Ripley for her position on the card. She gets massive responses from fans, so it makes sense why she gets such strong booking. However, there is a point to the debate about whether WWE could also make room for others to hold and orbit around the title.
For example, Jey Uso is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion on Monday Night Raw. He's set to face off against Logan Paul at the upcoming Saturday Night's Main Event. While this is going on, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, and Bron Breakker are involved in what is considered the biggest feud on the show. Expectations are that Roman Reigns will eventually be involved in the angle as well. WWE found a way to book four to five powerful names in the men's division in a major angle that does not involve the championship...yet. Will the title eventually be involved? Possibly, but its not right at this moment, giving everyone other directions to build anticipation for that angle.
This shows that the issue with Rhea Ripley staying at the top of the card isn't a Ripley issue, it's a WWE booking issue. WWE refuses to book interesting women's angles that do not involve a championship. Lyra Valkyria did not get a captivating feud as WWE Women's Intercontinental Champion until Becky Lynch returned. Chelsea Green defended her title three times aginst the same performer in Michin, once in a predictable match against Sol Rucca and eventually dropped the belt to Zelina Vega. These titles aren't being used to build up new and interesting contenders or charcters, leaving the WWE to leverage the same names at the top, IE Rhea Ripley.
WWE has a deep women's division. IYO Sky is one of the most consistent performers in the business and it would be great to see her face important, new challengers while building to what will probably be a big match against Rhea Ripley in October when WWE Crown Jewel goes to Perth, Austrailia. Imagine if WWE built Giulia up as a force to face off against Sky before the Ripley match. Or if they did the same with Perez, or a returning and former champion in Sane. There are so many talented women on the roster who could deliver in the moment if given the chance to do so. WWE doesn't do the division any favors with its booking practices. That's not Rhea Ripley's fault.
Rhea Ripley is going to be the face of the WWE Women's Division for years to come. And rightfully so. That is not her issue to solve or step aside. In fact, it's up to WWE to change how it books the women's division and change it quickly.