Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky at WWE Evolution 2025: A New Chapter
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are set to battle for the WWE Women’s World Championship at Evolution in 2025. This will be their first match against each other, and anticipation is high for their upcoming clash in Atlanta, promising to add to their rich history that dates back eight years. From their early days in WWE NXT, the rivalry has evolved significantly, including memorable moments from the Mae Young Classic and WrestleMania 41.
Their journey began in 2018 when Sky, then known as Iosirai, defeated Ripley in the semi-finals of the Mae Young Classic. Both competitors made their Royal Rumble debuts in 2019 and teamed up in the Women’s War Games, but it wasn’t until 2020 that they faced off again during a triple threat match at NXT TakeOver: Your House, where Sky claimed victory.
In late 2020, Sky retained her title against Ripley in a 22-minute classic match on "NXT." Their mutual respect grew during this time, culminating in their cooperation during that year’s Women’s Wargames match. After Ripley joined the main roster in early 2021, the two would not meet again until a Wargames match two years later, where they fought once more together. However, they truly hit their stride with more significant matches moving into 2024.
Fast forward to March 2025, with the lead-up to WrestleMania 41, where the two faced off in their first singles match in over four years. Ripley had just reclaimed the Women’s World Championship, only for Sky to shockingly end her reign with an assist from Bianca Belair. Their heated rivalry continued, even culminating in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 41.
After WrestleMania, both wrestlers went their separate ways but met again on May 12 during "Raw," partnering with rookies Giulia and Roxanne Perez. While Sky continued her championship run, Ripley sought to reclaim her place in title contention through the 2025 Women’s Money in the Bank and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Unfortunately, she faced setbacks, including interference from Raquel Rodriguez. Nevertheless, Ripley declared her championship intentions on June 30.
Sky, acknowledging her power to choose her challenger for Evolution 2025, surprisingly extended an invitation to Ripley, wanting to face a worthy opponent. Ripley accepted, highlighting her determination to reclaim her title. As they approach July 13, fans are left wondering if this will finally mark the turning point in their rivalry.
Fan Take
This rivalry is crucial for wrestling fans as it showcases the evolution of talent and storylines within the WWE, blending history with high-stakes competition. A victory for Ripley or Sky at Evolution 2025 could redefine the women’s division and set the tone for future story arcs in professional wrestling.
