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00:00This life represents you!
00:30Listen to this ovation!
00:35I asked Rhea Ripley what WrestleMania means to her.
00:47She told me,
00:49Oh!
00:50Because Rhea Ripley has been a part of every WrestleMania since the year 2020.
00:56She's had incredible moments at this big event.
01:01And tonight, Rhea Ripley plans to regain her World Championship.
01:07You know, Pat, we had her on the Pat McAfee Show this past Friday.
01:11And we talked about this in the Countdown Show.
01:13The one thing we've learned about Rhea is the maturation of Rhea Ripley over the past couple of years.
01:18And the word confidence now comes to mind.
01:21Yeah, confidence in who she is.
01:23She said she's resorted to her true self, her most authentic Rhea Ripley.
01:28And with confidence comes comfort.
01:30And when you have comfort at the biggest stages, that's when the championship title comes back home.
01:36Mommy is poised to leave Vegas with her title.
01:41And I don't think anybody would be surprised.
01:44From Riot City Wrestling in her homeland of Australia to a dojo in Japan.
01:53To playing soccer and karate and swimming.
01:57To making the trek to the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
02:01To becoming an NXT UK champion.
02:04Back to the States to dominate WWE.
02:07It has been an incredible career pride for Rhea Ripley.
02:14She's an anomaly from Australia.
02:17And tonight, she's back on the biggest stage in SportsCenter 10.
02:23Let's kick things off for the great Alicia Taylor.
02:28The following contest is a triple threat match.
02:37And it is for the Women's World Championship.
02:49Introducing first, the challengers.
02:54From Knoxville, Tennessee.
02:59Bianca Belair.
03:06Next.
03:16From Adelaide.
03:17From Adelaide.
03:19South Australia.
03:20Rhea Ripley.
03:21And their opponent.
03:38Representing Damage Control.
03:43From Tokyo, Japan.
03:50She is the Women's World Champion.
03:57Io Sky.
04:02The champion Io Sky.
04:04With an incredible record against Bianca Belair.
04:06And is also undefeated in her career against Rhea Ripley.
04:09Tonight defends the championship in a triple threat match.
04:12And remember, ladies and gentlemen, this is how the rules work.
04:15First woman to gain pitfall or submission will become the world champion.
04:18There are no count outs.
04:19There are no disqualifications.
04:20And, Wade, that means Io Sky does not have to be involved in the decision to lose her title tonight.
04:26Yeah, absolutely not.
04:27It's a trepidatious time for a champion in a triple threat matchup like this.
04:32But Io Sky may have a major advantage.
04:36There is real bitterness between Belair and Rhea Ripley that has developed over the past couple of months.
04:42And they could take each other out.
04:44That's where Io Sky benefits.
04:46I know your point.
04:47It's starting right now, yet again.
04:48And Io Sky is, I told you, she's no longer going to be thought of as an afterthought.
04:53And Io Sky starting things off against Rhea and Bianca Belair.
04:57And now, Rhea and Bianca go after one another.
04:59Io Sky now looking to pick up the pace.
05:01And there's the power of Belair.
05:03Although, Io Sky wants to get into a power game.
05:05Boom!
05:06Great brawna from Io Sky.
05:10And now Io showing off some of her athleticism.
05:13Nice drop kick.
05:14Drops Bianca Belair.
05:15And a drop kick of Rhea Ripley.
05:17And we are underway in a fast-paced start for the women's world title.
05:22Everybody's kind of getting a taste of what this is about to be.
05:27Now, Rhea and Bianca square off yet again.
05:30Io out of the equation momentarily.
05:32To show you the power advantage of Rhea Ripley there.
05:35One drop kick and it has completely wiped out Io Sky.
05:38And turned this effectively into a one-on-one match.
05:41Which is exactly what Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair have wanted all along.
05:45Yeah, a couple of waist-lock takedowns showing off their power.
05:48Io Sky's okay with Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley beating hell out of each other a little bit here.
05:52Well, this is the smart thing.
05:53This is what Io should have done all along.
05:55Step back in that opening onslaught.
05:57Let these two rip each other to shreds.
05:59Yeah, but she wants to show the world how good she is, Wade.
06:03And a nice kip up by Bianca Belair.
06:06Rhea Ripley's got some history in this stadium.
06:09Back in 2021 at SummerSlam, she was involved in a triple threat match for a world title that she had recently lost.
06:17Back in the same scenario, same stadium tonight.
06:24Belair now.
06:25Bianca Belair so quick.
06:27Taking advantage of those freak genetics that the EST has shown us many times before.
06:33SEC Championship.
06:35TNA beating the hell out of Io Sky and Rhea Ripley right now.
06:42And Io slips out from underneath.
06:43They're going to try to take advantage of that long braid by Bianca.
06:48We've seen that used as a weapon.
06:50It can also be a detriment.
06:53Into the corner.
06:54Bianca kicking her way out.
06:56Heel first to the nose of Rhea Ripley.
06:59Oh my goodness.
07:00Double blockbuster.
07:03Covered out by Io.
07:04Stacks up both women and a kick out.
07:06What an exclamation point that would have been on this.
07:09Defense had she pinned both women simultaneously.
07:12That was a double blockbuster, did you say?
07:15Base fit drop kick as well by Sky.
07:17And now Io targeting Bianca Belair.
07:19Io launched out to the apron.
07:21And Bianca sending the champ into the turnbuckle.
07:24Rhea Ripley with a kick drives Bianca outside the ring.
07:27It's two kicks that have sent competitors outside of the ring by Rhea Ripley.
07:31So much power.
07:32And Rhea now can go off the apron and take out Bianca.
07:35Remember, no count outs or disqualifications.
07:38Io Sky, the genius of the Sky.
07:41Gonna fly and takes out Rhea at the table.
07:44Picture perfect Io Sky flying at WrestleMania.
07:49Io Sky so reckless with her own body.
07:52The genius of the Sky doing what she does best.
07:56Now, moments prior to that, that was Rhea Ripley once again.
08:00Having laser focus exclusively on Bianca Belair and taking her eye off the champ.
08:06Roll through by Io.
08:07Stopped right to the gut of Rhea.
08:08You know, one thing I've noticed guys in the early going.
08:10Cover now by Sky.
08:11Hook to the leg and a kick out of two.
08:13It is much warmer in their stadium tonight than it was last night.
08:17Will that have any effect on the performers, Pat?
08:19Yeah, the sun certainly has its fastball.
08:21We are in the desert.
08:22It does feel like it's hotter earlier than it was last night.
08:25But this match could be the reasoning for it.
08:27Io Sky now.
08:28Rolling up Bianca Belair who's got a kick out at two.
08:31Fast-paced matchup in the early going.
08:34Who does that favor Lee?
08:35Well, and the temperatures like this.
08:37Endurance does become an issue.
08:39And I will personally always back Bianca Belair, the uber athlete.
08:44In a scenario of pure endurance.
08:46And now Bianca Belair.
08:48High speed though.
08:49You gotta think Io's happy about that.
08:50Yeah, nice suplex by Bianca.
08:52What if it goes to a power game?
08:53Floats through into another suplex.
08:55Bianca Belair showing off her power here.
08:58The EST.
09:00Marching around the ring with a vertical suplex to Io Sky.
09:04Io Sky into a Kepa.
09:06Talk about Sean Offbeat.
09:08How could you boo that?
09:10You're booing greatness if that's the case.
09:13The EST.
09:15Taking over Sensei.
09:17Oh, never mind.
09:18Spoke too quickly.
09:19Rhea Ripley says.
09:20Enough of that!
09:21Belair showing out a little too much there with Io Sky down.
09:25Allowing Rhea Ripley an opportunity back into the final game.
09:28Oh!
09:29Io got caught.
09:31Bianca Belair.
09:32Ooh!
09:33Like Juan Soto.
09:34Swing and a bet.
09:35Well, Vegas gonna have a baseball team here in a couple of years.
09:38Yeah, good night champ.
09:40Stadium just gonna be down the street.
09:42Brief moment of cohesion there from Rhea bloody Ripley and Bianca Belair again.
09:48We're back to that one-on-one match which these two have desired so badly.
09:53Rhea Ripley now gonna show off her power to Belair.
09:56Belair will land on her feet.
09:58Nice waist lock to Rhea.
10:00Rhea, of course, completely blames Bianca Belair for losing the championship to Sky in the first place after Belair was a distraction at ringside.
10:10And Rhea now lifting up Io Sky onto her shoulder up top.
10:14Hey, Io!
10:15Razor's Edge into Bianca Belair.
10:17The human missile Io Sky.
10:20Covered by Rhea.
10:21Hook of the leg for the win.
10:23Kick out by Io at two.
10:25Thought that was it.
10:27Bianca Belair taken out by the Razor's Edge javelin from Rhea Ripley and somehow Io Sky keeps this match rolling.
10:36Now Rhea Ripley really starting to show that physical dominance she has over at.
10:40Almost at all.
10:41Only one of the roster.
10:42Nice take down by Rhea Ripley.
10:44Turns things around now and she's in full control of Io Sky's legs.
10:49Oh, she's looking for the prism lock.
10:51Submission move used by Rhea Ripley.
10:54Can she get the champ to tap?
10:56If she does, it's over and Rhea will be the champion.
10:59Bianca Belair though from behind and again the inherent danger of the triple threat matchup power by Belair.
11:05Up on her shoulders.
11:07Bianca.
11:08Rhea lands on her feet.
11:09Nice deep arm drag.
11:10Train.
11:11Oh!
11:12This with a big boot.
11:13Face first.
11:14Boom.
11:15And both had the same idea.
11:20Both faces getting spiked off the ring.
11:26Absolutely incredible.
11:27Io Sky the first back to her feet.
11:28Bianca and Rhea both down in the corner.
11:29Now the bullet train attack by Io Sky both to Rhea and Bianca.
11:31Bianca and Bianca.
11:32And Bianca might have distracted each other too much.
11:34Now Io Sky is taking advantage.
11:36Io Sky says that's it Cole.
11:38Making a point this division revolves around me.
11:39And now gonna put this one to bed.
11:40Rhea now gonna meet Io up top.
11:41Bianca Belair gonna get involved as well.
11:43Bianca Belair gonna get involved as well.
11:44It's a dangerous situation for all three.
11:45And now Io Sky.
11:46And Bianca.
11:47And Bianca might have distracted each other too much.
11:48Now Io Sky is taking advantage.
11:49Io Sky.
11:50I says that's it Cole.
11:51Making a point.
11:52This division revolves around me.
11:53And now gonna put this one to bed.
11:54Rhea now gonna meet Io up top.
11:55Bianca Belair gonna get involved as well.
11:59And now going to put this one to bed.
12:01Rhea now going to meet Io up top.
12:05Bianca Belair going to get involved as well.
12:11It's a dangerous situation for all three.
12:14Io somehow laid it on her face.
12:18Rhea and Bianca down as well.
12:20Critical moment, Wade, in this match.
12:23Well, Bianca Belair was the chief instigator in that car crash
12:27from the top and the second rope.
12:30But Belair took a nasty landing herself.
12:33Io Sky clearly getting the worst of this.
12:36But now all three women laid out.
12:38Back to her feet at least momentarily.
12:40Sold out tonight at the Legion Stadium.
12:42Rhea Ripley with a forearm.
12:43Bianca with one as well.
12:46Nice drop down by Bianca Belair.
12:50And Rhea.
12:52The leapfrog and just kicks Bianca out of her boots.
12:55EO Sky with a missile drop kick.
13:00Kip up, flip up, EO Sky.
13:03The champ brings the WWE fans to their feet.
13:07Bianca blasted EO out of the air.
13:11The biggest risk in this kind of matchup
13:14is admiring your own handiwork.
13:16EO Sky getting lit up by this massive audience
13:20backing her to the hill.
13:22And, of course, Bianca Belair was ready to pass.
13:25But again, Pat, that shows Bianca's experience
13:27in this type of matchup.
13:28She was waiting for EO Sky to be distracted.
13:31Whether it was giving herself flowers
13:32or looking another way.
13:34Spears her out of Vegas.
13:36Bianca!
13:36Shooting star.
13:37Cover down.
13:38Hook of the leg.
13:39And Rhea with a running knee.
13:41Connected with that 450 splash there, Cole.
13:43But I get the point.
13:44Dangerously effective guy.
13:46Cover down by Rhea.
13:47Stacks up Bianca.
13:48For the championship and a kickout.
13:51Rhea cannot believe it.
13:53Kicking out of a riptide.
13:54This is Bianca Belair finding a whole new level.
13:59EO Sky thought she had it.
14:01Bianca Belair spears her out of Las Vegas.
14:04And you're right, Wade.
14:05This is a 450 delivered by Bianca Belair.
14:08And then Rhea Ripley with a riptide to Bianca.
14:11We thought it was over here.
14:13And a kickout by Belair.
14:14And that is the highest stack pin possible after the heaviest artillery in this woman's arsenal.
14:21If it didn't work, where the hell do you go from here, Ripley?
14:25Well, Rhea's going to turn her attention out of the champion, EO Sky, after Bianca rolled out of the ring.
14:29EO just so happens to be the closest competitor.
14:31Maybe another one.
14:32Looking for another riptide now to the champion.
14:35Rhea Ripley.
14:35Oh, nice turn around.
14:37Rhea on her head.
14:39Great counter at DDT by Sky.
14:42Incredible flexibility.
14:44EO now.
14:45Oh, right into a kick.
14:47What a move by Ripley.
14:49It's like a capoeira kick right to the temple of the genius of the Sky, who is groggy, propped up, gingerly against the ropes.
14:57And now, in the worst position possible, what the hell is Ripley cooking up here?
15:02EO Sky's dazed, confused, and about to be broken.
15:06EO above the top rope.
15:08Rhea Ripley glancing out into the sellout crowd.
15:12Rhea.
15:14Oh, what a counter by EO Sky.
15:17Countering a massive riptide.
15:20Sky, top rope.
15:22Genius to the Sky.
15:25Oh, and Rhea.
15:27Got the boots up.
15:30And Bianca caught her.
15:31K.O.D.
15:33Kiss of death.
15:34Belair.
15:36Ripley breaking things up.
15:38What action.
15:40Four fifties and riptides.
15:43Idiot.
15:45The K.O.D.
15:47Over the moon, so it was supposed to be it.
15:49Rhea gets her boots up.
15:51Perfectly timed.
15:53EO Sky rolls right into a K.O.D.
15:57That's supposed to be one, two, three.
16:02And Staglia Ripley breaks it up for these.
16:06This is an instant classic to start Wrestlemania Sunday.
16:11Oh, hats off.
16:11The mental sharpness of Ripley there was just so, so good.
16:16Nothing pretty about it, like a defensive end slapping someone down.
16:25And now Belair talking trash to Rhea.
16:29Bianca all worked up, and Rhea Ripley's heard enough.
16:44And now the slugfest underway.
16:46That was a big right by Bianca.
16:48Completely wobbled the knees of Ripley, who's still game to fight.
16:53Now Bianca, out to the apron.
16:56Ripley clock.
16:58Oh, God.
16:58The business really has boiled over now, Cole.
17:01Here's some massive shots being thrown here late in the match.
17:04Both women here looking completely reinvigorated as they throw the heavy leather.
17:12And now Rhea dragging Bianca up toward the top rope.
17:16Bianca looking to block.
17:18Two of the most powerful women in the game going at it high above the ring.
17:24Hang right still.
17:27Headbutt by Rhea.
17:28Drops Bianca to the floor.
17:30It's about the worst place Bianca could have fallen for Rhea Ripley.
17:33EO Sky now.
17:36Uppercut there.
17:37Whoa.
17:38EO going to do here from the top rope.
17:41EO Sky fired up once again.
17:44And look at Rhea.
17:46The power of Ripley trying to hang on.
17:49Oh, and first off the post goes Sky.
17:52Did you guys hear that?
17:54Let's end to the poison runner up the second rope.
17:56But now Belair now with Ripley up top.
18:01Oh, no.
18:02Counter to the KOD.
18:04Rhea landed on her feet.
18:06This has degenerated into a hockey fight with headbutts at her.
18:11Wait a minute.
18:12Ripley.
18:13Went for the riptie.
18:14Countered by Belair.
18:16Bianca.
18:17Oh, my goodness.
18:18Oh, no.
18:19Oh, no.
18:21Oh, no.
18:22You see the brain is a weapon.
18:24KOD by Belair.
18:26For the win.
18:27EO Sky over the moonsault.
18:32Cover on Belair.
18:33Sky wins.
18:34EO Sky wins.
18:37What?
18:38Here is your winner.
18:40And still, the women's world champion.
18:48EO Sky.
18:50What a match.
18:53What a win.