Liv Morgan Triumphs, But Rhea Ripley Looms Large Over Women’s World Championship
Liv Morgan, the reigning WWE Women’s World Champion, successfully defended her title against Iyo Sky at Saturday Night’s Main Event, securing a decisive victory with her signature Oblivion maneuver. While many of Morgan’s previous wins have been shrouded in controversy, this clean victory punctuated her dominance as champion. However, the celebration was short-lived as Rhea Ripley, Morgan’s long-time nemesis, emerged after the match to confront the champion, signaling the continuation of their bitter rivalry.
The feud between Morgan and Ripley has been a cornerstone of WWE programming throughout 2023, captivating audiences with its intensity and dramatic segments. Their rivalry, often considered the company’s top feud, has stretched over several months and multiple premium live events. Despite its compelling nature, the extended duration has arguably passed its peak, leaving fans yearning for fresh storylines and new challengers for the Women’s World Championship.
Unfortunately for Iyo Sky, a talented performer and former champion herself, she found herself caught in the crossfire of the Morgan-Ripley saga. Despite showcasing her impressive in-ring skills and garnering significant fan support, Sky’s challenge for the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event felt predetermined, serving primarily as a stepping stone to reignite the rivalry between Morgan and Ripley. Similar to Sami Zayn’s recent encounter with Drew McIntyre, Sky, despite her undeniable talent, never truly posed a credible threat to the champion.
Sky’s role in the event underscores a broader issue within the Raw women’s division: the dominance of Morgan and Ripley has overshadowed other talented female superstars. With prominent figures like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair absent, and Bianca Belair engaged in the tag team division, the Raw women’s scene has become heavily reliant on the Morgan-Ripley dynamic. This lack of depth has compelled WWE to prolong their feud, even as it arguably approaches its expiration date.
The focus on Morgan and Ripley has inadvertently relegated other talented wrestlers like Sky to supporting roles. While Sky’s previous reign as WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown demonstrated her main event potential, her accomplishments have been largely overlooked since losing the title to Bayley at WrestleMania 40. This highlights the disparity in WWE’s long-term storytelling, which often benefits a select few while others are left waiting in the wings.
Morgan’s lengthy title reign, beginning with her victory at King & Queen of the Ring in May, has been inextricably linked to her rivalry with Ripley. At times, the championship itself has felt secondary to their personal animosity, with the title often serving as a prop in their ongoing feud. Ripley’s recent declaration that she is "not done" with Morgan reinforces the notion that this rivalry is far from over. While Ripley’s pursuit of the title provides a compelling narrative, it also reveals the limitations of the current Raw women’s division, where a lack of viable contenders necessitates the continuation of this well-worn storyline. Despite Morgan’s resounding victory at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the shadow of Rhea Ripley looms large, and it seems only a matter of time before the Women’s World Championship changes hands once again. The question remains: when will other talented women in the division have their opportunity to shine outside the shadow of this dominant feud?
