The SmackDown Women's division in 2024 saw many exciting matches, but one stood out above the rest: The epic Monday Night Raw WrestleMania match between Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley. But this match, which included a back and forth display of their endearing nastiness, more than lived up to the hype that it would be a true battle between two of the most dominant women in WWE’s history.
The Build-Up
This match was just the build up to drama, rivalry and anticipation. Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley were in dominant paths they were on in WWE, with Ripley becoming one of the fiercest competitors and Flair continuing her legacy as one of the greats to ever lay foot in the ring. Both women had personal stakes at arrive, what with the SmackDown Women's Championship up for grabs, that moved their respective desire to prove who the truth be the more.
Rhea Ripley had risen to power and she was forced to do nothing. Who could forget the building they had already had already been the champion on many occasions, and her reign of terror in the ring had made her a fan favorite. However, Charlotte Flair, amongst the greatest skill and experience in WWE, was relentless in taking back her crown of the best woman in the company. And it wasn’t until they collided in the ring at WrestleMania 40, WrestleMania 40 that fans knew they would see a clash of titans.
Related : What did Giulia say in her warning to Roxanne Perez at WWE NXT ‘No Mercy’?
The Match Itself
The bell rang at WrestleMania and the first thing that happened was clear right away, this was no ordinary match. The chemistry between Charlotte and Rhea had to be felt to be believed and their in ring styles worked beautifully. Rhea was strength and power and Charlotte technical and high flying moves met in heady mid-air collision of unpredictability and thrills.
Action and Near Falls: Both fighters went all out, landing heavy blows and suplexes and basically near falls for the fans to go nuts on. They would fight back with surprising resilience each time one of them almost seemed to be in control. Rhea’s dominance and her clothesline were a match made in hell for Charlotte whose sharp chops and moonsaults, however, were very much a contrast. The match was never dull: fans were lucky that the outcome didn't seem to be up for debate, until the opponent kicked out and carried on fighting.
High-Impact Spots: Charlotte filled Rhea full of picture perfect Natural Selection and it was all the crowd could roar for Ripley got to power out of the way in the last moment. Charlotte was no match for Ripley though, who exploded in a crushing Riptide from the top rope that would normally finish the match and Ripley wasn’t to be out done, executing the move. The near falls piled up with the fierce offense and they built terrific suspense with each moment seemingly life or death.
The Turning Point: But the turning point for the match came when Rhea Ripley went for her finisher for a second time and Charlotte countered it with a Figure Eight. Rhea fought to get away, clawing at the mat, the ropes and the will to win all while facing immense pain. It was a battle of wills, not only would the competing sides do almost anything to leave with the title.
The Fans' Reaction
The fans were put off from day one on that match. The WrestleMania electricity mixed in only served to build the heat. The audience heard cheers, gasps, and applause for every strike, every near fall, and every high impact move. The crowd showed Charlotte and Rhea respect for their incredible show, as well as for their commitment to the match.
The match was reaching its climax and the loud cheers and chants echoed through the arena. Several times fans thought Charlotte would walk away victorious, but Rhea Ripely showed her fire. Rhea Ripley came away with a SmackDown Women's Championship Imission and cemented her place amongst WWE's top stars.
Aftermath and Impact
The WWE’s Universe had nothing but praise for both competitors after the match. It was a testament to Rhea Ripley’s strength, grit and determination, and Charlotte Flair’s show was evidence that she’s still one of, if not the, best female wrestlers ever.
The match set the bar for women’s wrestling on SmackDown as well as the overall athleticism and storytelling that WWE top stars portray. But the emotion that they brought in the ring and what they brought off the ring was just as important as what they executed in the ring. Fans knew they seen something special.
Why It Was the Best
There were several key factors that made this match the best SmackDown Women’s match of 2024:
Finally, this Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley match at WrestleMania 40 was the best SmackDown Women’s match of 2024, for sure. It had everything fans could ask for: excellent action, venal emotional stakes and a memorable atmosphere. In this match there shall be remembered as a high note of this year and a great’all round high note’ between these two.
Pirkko Koskitalo
The SmackDown Women's division in 2024 saw many exciting matches, but one stood out above the rest: The epic Monday Night Raw WrestleMania match between Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley. But this match, which included a back and forth display of their endearing nastiness, more than lived up to the hype that it would be a true battle between two of the most dominant women in WWE’s history.
The Build-Up
This match was just the build up to drama, rivalry and anticipation. Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley were in dominant paths they were on in WWE, with Ripley becoming one of the fiercest competitors and Flair continuing her legacy as one of the greats to ever lay foot in the ring. Both women had personal stakes at arrive, what with the SmackDown Women's Championship up for grabs, that moved their respective desire to prove who the truth be the more.
Rhea Ripley had risen to power and she was forced to do nothing. Who could forget the building they had already had already been the champion on many occasions, and her reign of terror in the ring had made her a fan favorite. However, Charlotte Flair, amongst the greatest skill and experience in WWE, was relentless in taking back her crown of the best woman in the company. And it wasn’t until they collided in the ring at WrestleMania 40, WrestleMania 40 that fans knew they would see a clash of titans.
Related : What did Giulia say in her warning to Roxanne Perez at WWE NXT ‘No Mercy’?
The Match Itself
The bell rang at WrestleMania and the first thing that happened was clear right away, this was no ordinary match. The chemistry between Charlotte and Rhea had to be felt to be believed and their in ring styles worked beautifully. Rhea was strength and power and Charlotte technical and high flying moves met in heady mid-air collision of unpredictability and thrills.
Action and Near Falls: Both fighters went all out, landing heavy blows and suplexes and basically near falls for the fans to go nuts on. They would fight back with surprising resilience each time one of them almost seemed to be in control. Rhea’s dominance and her clothesline were a match made in hell for Charlotte whose sharp chops and moonsaults, however, were very much a contrast. The match was never dull: fans were lucky that the outcome didn't seem to be up for debate, until the opponent kicked out and carried on fighting.
High-Impact Spots: Charlotte filled Rhea full of picture perfect Natural Selection and it was all the crowd could roar for Ripley got to power out of the way in the last moment. Charlotte was no match for Ripley though, who exploded in a crushing Riptide from the top rope that would normally finish the match and Ripley wasn’t to be out done, executing the move. The near falls piled up with the fierce offense and they built terrific suspense with each moment seemingly life or death.
The Turning Point: But the turning point for the match came when Rhea Ripley went for her finisher for a second time and Charlotte countered it with a Figure Eight. Rhea fought to get away, clawing at the mat, the ropes and the will to win all while facing immense pain. It was a battle of wills, not only would the competing sides do almost anything to leave with the title.
The Fans' Reaction
The fans were put off from day one on that match. The WrestleMania electricity mixed in only served to build the heat. The audience heard cheers, gasps, and applause for every strike, every near fall, and every high impact move. The crowd showed Charlotte and Rhea respect for their incredible show, as well as for their commitment to the match.
The match was reaching its climax and the loud cheers and chants echoed through the arena. Several times fans thought Charlotte would walk away victorious, but Rhea Ripely showed her fire. Rhea Ripley came away with a SmackDown Women's Championship Imission and cemented her place amongst WWE's top stars.
Aftermath and Impact
The WWE’s Universe had nothing but praise for both competitors after the match. It was a testament to Rhea Ripley’s strength, grit and determination, and Charlotte Flair’s show was evidence that she’s still one of, if not the, best female wrestlers ever.
The match set the bar for women’s wrestling on SmackDown as well as the overall athleticism and storytelling that WWE top stars portray. But the emotion that they brought in the ring and what they brought off the ring was just as important as what they executed in the ring. Fans knew they seen something special.
Why It Was the Best
There were several key factors that made this match the best SmackDown Women’s match of 2024:
Finally, this Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley match at WrestleMania 40 was the best SmackDown Women’s match of 2024, for sure. It had everything fans could ask for: excellent action, venal emotional stakes and a memorable atmosphere. In this match there shall be remembered as a high note of this year and a great’all round high note’ between these two.