Ripley Blasts Fans for Downplaying WrestleMania Storyline With Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky

Rhea Ripley is locking in—and she doesn’t have time for internet critics.

Ahead of her massive triple threat showdown for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 41, The Eradicator clapped back at those downplaying the storyline build. She’ll square off against current champ IYO SKY and Bianca Belair, and while fans online have taken shots at WWE for pivoting away from a long-awaited one-on-one clash with Belair, Ripley’s not about to lose focus.

In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, Ripley set the record straight on where her head’s at going into the biggest event of the year—and why IYO SKY is absolutely not being overlooked.

“I don’t want to say we’re overlooking IYO, because we’re not. We know that she’s a threat. We know what she’s capable of. Hell, I’ve never beat her in a one-on-one competition. I know exactly what IYO brings to the table.”

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Still, Rhea made it clear that she’s gunning for Bianca Belair, who’s been at the center of this story since the March 3 episode of RAW. That night, SKY cashed in on a distracted Ripley after Rhea got into a ringside scrap with Belair—costing Ripley the title and adding fuel to the fire.

The fans wanted a straight-up Rhea vs. Bianca match at WrestleMania 41. But with WWE tossing IYO into the mix, the build has been under scrutiny from diehards who feel the company swerved for no reason. Ripley’s heard the noise—and she’s not impressed.

“The story is getting spicy. I know a lot of people online don’t want to realize what’s going on, because they hate me or whatever it is. People are going to feel whatever they want to feel. I’m not going to argue with 16-year-olds on the internet, but that’s the story.”

And when it comes to her motivation? Rhea’s all about revenge.

“Yes, I’m going to be focusing on Bianca, because she screwed me out of my opportunity twice now by being there and wanting to be a part of the spotlight and taking that away from me when she knows how much this opportunity meant to me.”

The energy heading into this triple threat is real, and with three top-tier stars clashing on the grandest stage, the drama may finally explode inside Allegiant Stadium.