Hey everyone. I’m back once again with another column on DiscussPW. I know I’ve been away, and I apologize for that. I had to do some soul-searching on where I stand on the women’s championships. And I want to announce that this newest article will be my last one for quite some time. This isn’t goodbye forever, but it’s simply goodbye for now. Women’s wrestling currently hasn’t been the greatest from a booking standpoint, and I’m not sure why that is because WWE has a talented women’s roster from both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown. But the creative hasn’t been matching the talent that they have. I look forward to the potential matches we can see at WrestleMania in Philadelphia. WWE has a great opportunity to give us some outstanding women’s world championship matches at WrestleMania 40. I’m here to detail all the possibilities we can see from WWE regarding both women’s championships. And then, I will detail what I think both women’s championships WWE should book at night one and night two at the event. Let’s get started, ladies and gentlemen!
Number 1 – Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s World Championship
The WWE teased this match-up a while back when Becky Lynch stared down Rhea Ripley on an episode of Monday Night Raw. And when this happened, fans immediately wanted these two to square off. But we haven’t seen it yet, is WWE waiting for WrestleMania 40 to book this match-up? It’s possible because these two ladies haven’t crossed paths since that staredown. The WWE can wait to book the match for The 2024 Royal Rumble. That’s a possibility… Because in recent years, the WWE has given us the fans some marquee matches at that event, and Becky Lynch versus Rhea Ripley for that Women’s World Championship is a match that can happen at The 2024 Royal Rumble. Now if that happens, will fans be disappointed? Because I know some will say ”this match-up should’ve been saved for WrestleMania.” And that is true. I know that WWE struggles to find quality opponents for Rhea Ripley in her reign. I hope that WWE considers keeping that championship on Rhea Ripley going into WrestleMania 40. Lastly, when you look at the roster on Monday Night Raw, Becky Lynch is your great option for a match against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40 because it screams marquee.
Number 2 – Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair – Women’s World Championship
Many fans like myself wanted and still want to see this match-up at some point. I started to see people contemplating wanting to see this match instead of Rhea Ripley facing Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40. And honestly, I’d take this match over Rhea Ripley facing Becky Lynch. People don’t realize that Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley came up in the WWE simultaneously and have always been compared by both WWE management and fans. Bianca Belair got the push first, and people started to say, ”When is it Rhea Ripley’s turn to get that rocket push to the top?” WWE has listened, and our prayers got answered because Rhea Ripley is getting this rocket push. We all know she deserves it. The WWE had an opportunity to give us Rhea Ripley versus Bianca Belair last year at The 2023 Royal Rumble for the women’s championship but backed out of it, confusing us. And they went in a different direction, but now with how things are currently lined up, WWE can give us this match at WrestleMania 40 with Bianca Belair turning heel and winning The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble. Will fans like that, though? Only time will tell. This match screams WrestleMania.
Number 3 – IO Sky vs. Bayley vs. Dakota Kai – Women’s Championship
You all know this makes perfect sense. A Damage CNTRL triple threat match at WrestleMania 40 between these three ladies would be fun to watch. Would I want to see this? Yes. IO Sky is the current Women’s Champion, and we all know that sooner rather than later, she will split off and go on a single run. The WWE will give us Bayley battling IO Sky for that Women’s Championship sometime this year or in 2024. The WWE fans belove IO Sky deserves to be Women’s Champion, and her reactions have garnered her winning and holding onto that championship. A Damage CNTRL triple threat match at WrestleMania 40 is being discussed more in the community. This group can come full circle next year at WrestleMania 40 over a championship! The question is, will Vince McMahon allow for IO Sky to hold onto that Women’s Championship going into WrestleMania40? No. I’m not so sure he will want that. But when you wanna talk about a Women’s Championship match that makes sense for next year’s WrestleMania? This needs to be high on people’s lists. The story calls for this to happen. So we will see what WWE comes up with.
Number 4 – IO Sky vs. Asuka – Women’s Championship
This is a dream match that everyone wants to see, including myself. We all thought it would happen at SummerSlam, but plans changed. This match-up is worthy of saying ”dream match”, and I hope that WWE gives it to us soon, or even at WrestleMania 40. This screams WrestleMania to me, and I know if it does happen, fans won’t have a problem with it. Is it on WWE’s radar in plans? I’m not sure. But at the same time, I hope they explore it soon because they will leave a lot of money on the table if they don’t. These two badass Japanese women going at it on the biggest stage in all of pro wrestling? Sign me up! Who’s the best Joshi woman in WWE? IO Sky, or Asuka. Hopefully, we can find out soon.
Number 5 – Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair – Women’s Championship
I need people to understand that this match is being in consideration to happen at WrestleMania 40 for that Women’s Championship. The management team and some feel that Bianca Belair versus Charlotte Flair is the biggest women’s match you can do for that championship. To me, I get where you are coming from, but at the same time, that’s an idiotic opinion to have, and here’s why. So you are telling me that IO Sky isn’t worth being champion going into WrestleMania 40? Do Y’all feel that she isn’t a big enough superstar to headline a big-time women’s championship at WrestleMania 40? If that’s your mindset, that’s sad and self-centered. IO Sky is popular with the fans and is easily capable of being champion going into WrestleMania. But when you look at star power, marquee, and headlines. WWE and many fans will say that a match-up involving Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair is the biggest match than anything that IO Sky will be in. I disagree because if you go to fans now and say ”which match do you want to see. Bianca Belair versus Charlotte Flair for the Women’s Championship. Or IO Sky versus Asuka for the Women’s Championship? It won’t be as lopsided as you think. They being WWE, will always go to marquee star power over quality match-up. But here’s the thing, Bianca Belair versus Charlotte Flair will give us a classic women’s match as well. It’s all about what you, as a fan, prefer seeing at WrestleMania 40.
Those five matches are being considered for WrestleMania 40 in both Women’s Championship matches. I know certain parts of the WWE fan base will be upset. What women’s matches would I book at WrestleMania 40?
- Women’s Championship match on RAW – Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch
- Women’s World Championship on SmackDown – IO Sky vs. Bayley vs. Dakota Kai
Let’s see what WWE comes up with next year. Because I know it will be a hot-button topic that will have many fans debating as it should. I would book Charlotte Flair versus Bianca Belair in a rivalry instead of putting them in a World Title match. I hope you all enjoy this newest article. And please keep in mind plans can and will change in WWE. I want them to book the best women’s matches at WrestleMania 40! Stay ucey, and I’ll see you all again! #WWE #WrestleMania
JORDAN TURNER
Podcaster and creative writer.
