“Except for me!” Rhea Ripley confronts SmackDown Women’s champion, Charlotte Flair

Rhea Ripley goes one-on-one against Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 39 in three weeks, as The Eradicator vowed to dethrone The Queen at the Grandest Stage of them All.

“Except for me!” Rhea Ripley confronts SmackDown Women’s champion, Charlotte Flair

Charlotte and Rhea on SmackDown this week(via-WWE)

As WrestleMania 39 inches closer, there are a lot of ongoing stories for the fans to follow. With the Show of Shows being just three weeks away, excitement for the matches on the card is at an all-time high. One such match is Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown women’s title. Ever since winning the women’s Rumble match, Ripley came face-to-face with Flair for the first time on SmackDown, two weeks ago. However, no conversation took place between the champion and the challenger.

On the latest episode of SmackDown, Rhea Ripley made an appearance along with her Judgment Day pals and in order to gather momentum, Charlotte Flair was also scheduled for a match against Shotzi on the show. The SmackDown women’s champion was interrupted by her WrestleMania challenger during the match. However, the distraction from Ripley had no effect on The Queen, as she picked up the victory over Shotzi.

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Following the match, The Eradicator acknowledged The Queen after her victory. Ripley said, “watching you tonight just reminded me exactly why I chose you after I won the Royal Rumble”. Ripley then promised the SmackDown women’s champion to take away the SmackDown Championship from her, which makes her feel so important at WrestleMania.

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The 14-time women’s champion didn’t back down as she vowed to outwork everyone in the wrestling business. Charlotte concluded, “You’re Rhea bloody Ripley. That means you will rip apart anyone that stands in your way, except for me”. The verbal exchange escalated the hype for their match a little more. It remains to be seen what transpires between them in the remaining weeks prior to their WrestleMania bout.

Related: Rhea Ripley has earned the respect of the Fabulous Firebird

Could Rhea Ripley dethrone Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39?

Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
Charlotte vs. Ripley at WrestleMania 39(via WWE)

The story began with Charlotte Flair winning the Rumble three years ago and shockingly challenging Rhea Ripley for her NXT Women’s Championship. Ripley was a rookie back then, but she did put up a really good fight at WrestleMania 36. However, Flair captured the title in the end and Ripley was left disheartened.

Nonetheless, three years later, things are completely different. Ripley is a much-improved version of herself ever since joining The Judgment Day. She is also currently the hottest act in women’s pro wrestling in the world. The Eradicator proved her grit by winning the women’s Rumble match after entering at no.1.

With her current dominant form, it could be her moment at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Hence, all she has to do is to overcome the 14-time women’s champion and the current SmackDown women’s champion and capture the title.

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