WWE planning major opponent for Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 41, plans revealed
Reports indicate WWE has tentatively scheduled a high-profile rematch between The Man and Ripley for their biggest event of the year.
Following confirmation of Becky Lynch’s new WWE contract, initial plans for WrestleMania 41 have emerged. According to Billi Bhatti on the Dirty Sheets Backstage podcast, WWE is working toward a rematch between Lynch and Rhea Ripley for the showcase event.
The podcast revealed WWE’s current creative direction:
We moved onto January 6 for the Netflix show. The WWE did not have a single match booked for WrestleMania 100% other than a rematch between Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley, which we are moving towards
Lynch’s absence from RAW’s Netflix premiere sparked discussion, though reports indicate she attended Netflix-related events solely in a promotional capacity. The former champion has finalized her new deal with WWE, ending speculation about her future following her contract expiration in 2024.
Strategic Return Plans Take Shape
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson provided insight into WWE’s approach to reintroducing major stars during the Netflix era. The company aims to maximize the impact of returning talent for the new streaming audience.
Sources clarified Lynch’s RAW absence:
Becky Lynch was not there and was not factored into creative for the show. There are a lot of names, including Becky, who will be returning in future weeks and WWE wants to make the most out of maximizing those moments and introducing those characters to the Netflix crowd
This strategy suggests WWE is carefully orchestrating the timing of Lynch’s return to create maximum impact for both existing fans and new Netflix viewers. While her WrestleMania direction appears set, the path to that encounter remains to be determined.