Rhea Ripley def Charlotte Flair to capture the SmackDown Women's Champion
In a WrestleMania showdown for the ages, Rhea Ripley conquered Charlotte Flair to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. With a palpable buzz in the massive crowd, Flair and Ripley locked horns and tried to test each other’s strength, but it was the challenger who managed to slam the champion face-first into the turnbuckle, giving her control of the match. Strong strikes and a German suplex followed for Ripley and she began to mock the champion. Not one to be insulted, Flair responded with her incredible offense and knocked Ripley flat on her back. The champion began dissecting the challenger, targeting her left leg and systematically compromising Ripley’s joints. Flair’s attempt at a flying crossbody didn’t go as planned, but Ripley’s attempted Riptide was countered into a DDT by the champion. Moments later, Flair attempted hit her signature moonsault, but Ripley met her at the top rope and hit a release German suplex. As the two Superstars battled, Ripley tossed Flair into the steel steps and followed it up with a major slam, but the champion kicked out. Knowing what was on the line, the two Superstars continued to batter each other, but neither could deliver the decisive blow. Flair booted Ripley out of the ring and hit a remarkable moonsault to the outside, but her attempt at the Figure-Eight Leglock was countered into a headbutt and a Riptide, but still, Flair kicked out. Ripley returned the favor by kicking out of a spear just seconds later. Both Superstars found themselves battling at the post, and Ripley managed to knock Flair onto the top rope. The challenger scaled the turnbuckle, grabbed ahold of the champion, and hit a devastating Avalanche Riptide to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
