Leonardo Cunha in — Rhea RipleyWWEWWE Money in the Bank

Rhea Ripley Expected to Undergo Significant Creative Shift in WWE

Following her failure to capture the Money in the Bank briefcase, speculation is mounting that Rhea Ripley could be set for a significant character shift.

Rhea Ripley’s aspirations to secure a championship opportunity were dashed at WWE Money in the Bank, where she was unable to win the Women’s Ladder Match. The victory ultimately went to Naomi, who now holds the contract for a title match of her choosing. For Ripley, the loss represents the latest in a series of significant setbacks in high-profile situations.

This string of defeats has fueled speculation that a major character change could be on the horizon for Ripley, who has not operated as a heel since late January 2024. After being betrayed by Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam 2024, she transitioned into a fan-favorite role, a run that has now lasted nearly 500 days and saw her team with Damian Priest.

A Frustrating Pattern of Defeats

The potential for a character shift stems from a frustrating run for the decorated superstar in 2025. The troubles began on the March 3 episode of WWE RAW, where she lost the Women’s World Championship to IYO SKY. Ripley then failed to recapture the gold at WrestleMania 41 in a blockbuster Triple Threat Match that also involved Bianca Belair. Her inability to win the Money in the Bank briefcase is the third major loss in a row.

This contrasts sharply with her earlier momentum, which included winning the same title from Liv Morgan on January 6, 2025, and successfully defending it against Nia Jax later that month. Her history with SKY was already intense, evidenced by a title match between them on the March 31 episode of WWE RAW in London that ended in a double disqualification.

A return to a more villainous persona could see Ripley renewing her aggressive rivalry with IYO SKY. A targeted attack on the “Genius of the Sky” would be a definitive way to signal a heel turn, directly setting up another intense championship program between the two rivals. A six-time champion across WWE’s main roster and developmental brands, Ripley’s frustration could boil over into a quest to reclaim the top spot by any means necessary.

For now, any potential heel turn remains speculative. It remains to be seen what creative direction WWE has planned for one of its top stars following her recent string of losses on major stages.