WATCH: Rhea Ripley retains her Women’s World Championship with the help of 26-year-old Superstar against Raquel Rodriguez at WWE Payback 

The Women's World Champion clashed with her arch-rival from NXT for the first time on the main roster for the Women's World Championship.

WATCH: Rhea Ripley retains her Women’s World Championship with the help of 26-year-old Superstar against Raquel Rodriguez at WWE Payback 

Rhea Ripley pins Raquel Rodriguez (via Twitter)

Payback continued to deliver on the promised matches as Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez faced each other. They clashed for the first time on the main roster. The two had an acclaimed rivalry while in NXT but never had a match on the main roster until Payback 2023. Therefore, the match was full of hard-hitting spots, as the two have great chemistry.

Both women had their fair share of offense in the match, as Raquel almost made Rhea Ripley look weak on a few occasions. This was new for fans, as The Eradicator has been on the run of her life in 2023 and has not been on the weak side in a very long time. However, Rodriguez was able to throw her around for some time before the champion took back control.

YouTube video

Additionally, when Rodriguez was about to get the opportunity to get Ripely to tap out, Dominik Mysterio walked out again for the second time in the night. Because of his interference, Ripley sneaked in an attack on Rodriguez’s recently injured knee. She proceeded to hit the Riptide on Raquel and pin her successfully to retain the title.

FS Video

Watch how Rhea Ripley managed to retain her title with the help of Dominik Mysterio:

The audience was electric for the match, as Ripley continues to be one of the most dominant superstars in WWE. Payback has been memorable for Judgment Day as all members now hold gold. Previously on the show, Finn Balor and Damian Priest defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed Tag Team Championships.

Related: Former Women’s Champion teases her return to WWE, vows to seek redemption from Rhea Ripley

Raquel Rodriguez promises that she is not done with Rhea Ripley yet

Byron Saxton and Raquel Rodriguez
Byron Saxton and Raquel Rodriguez (via YouTube)

Rhea Ripley somehow managed to retain her championship against Raquel Rodriguez, who has been her nemesis since their NXT days. At one point in the match, it looked like Rodriguez had Ripley defeated and would be the one to dethrone Ripley. However, Dominik Mysterio would not let that happen, as he interfered in the match, costing Raquel the title.

While talking to Byron Saxton backstage, the former women’s tag champion said that she is not done with Rhea just yet. She said, “I’m angry. I’m really, really, really angry. Tonight was supposed to be my night, but again, I knew Rhea Ripley couldn’t come out there by herself. I knew Dom couldn’t just leave her to handle this on her own. The second they see her in any kind of danger, they come running to her.”

She added, “All I have to say is it’s not over. And this is for Liv; this is for me; it’s not over. Tonight was just a little taste. Dom will get his, even if I have to give it to him. And Rhea? She’s gonna get hers too.” Therefore, fans will have to wait and see how WWE books Ripley and Rodriguez moving forward.

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