Last night I was surprised by the WrestleMania match between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair at the WWE Women’s Championship. It appears that Lightning attacked twice in Las Vegas as the triple threat from WWE Women’s World Champion put me out of my seat.
Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair and Champion Iyo Sky participated in the opening match on Sunday at WrestleMania 41st to challenge Sky’s WWE Women’s World Championship, but they were not disappointed. Their contest was SpotFest, certified as a masterclass in storytelling within the ring. Their triple threat match, against death, high energy, raised hair – all two-word descriptors under the sun. We cannot fully praise the three women involved in this match. You can’t also choose the moment you pull the entire match together or performer. Each performer did absolutely amazing, and this match did everything it needed to do with the scope of the feud so far, and with their careers moving out of here.
You might think “Mami” is overrated or overexposed, but on Sunday, Ripley showed everyone exactly why she’s everything she says. Ripley played the role of Powerhouse Wrestler, but should not be twisted. She’s not just *any* a great power. Usually, if you have a tall, muscular wrestler like Ripley, having them sell (and sell *well*) is like pulling your teeth. It’s not Ripley. Ripley was willing to flip, roll, and defy whatever it took to make his enemy look like $100.
Belair’s performance was incredible. Between this feud and her involvement with Naomi and Jade Cargill, I am so happy that Bella can expand her personality and really sink her teeth into these more negative emotions. She was particularly aggressive towards Ripley, who was the target of her rage in this feud. But what impressed me most was Bel Air’s willingness to eat pins in this match. Not only will he lose WrestleMania’s streak, but he will eat Pin* shows Bella’s quiet confidence. She knows she has to have this unbeaten streak to take it seriously. She knows there is something bigger than her, but that doesn’t degrade her own worth. A huge and great respect for Bel Air for her work, both inside and outside the ring. There’s a reason why she is one of the best living people.
The sky deserved this victory. Skye is one of the best women to do that. Her incredible agility makes her high-flying moves absolutely perfect, and she sells everything her partner gives her with such passion. For example, I have a hard time putting into words how good the sky is – you just need to watch the match (again). After spending all this feud as an afterthought, Skye appeared and appeared. Her performance was extremely pleased after being treated this whole feud like a third wheel.
Wow, what an opening match. I’m going to see it again.
Written by Angeline Phu
