Mami Gets Her Gold: Rhea Ripley Wins the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 42
Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women's Championship for the fourth time at WrestleMania 42 Night 2. With an assist from IYO SKY who neutralized outside interference, The Eradicator delivered the Riptide to capture the gold in what was one of the most hard-hitting women's matches in WrestleMania history.
The Build: Ripley vs. Cargill — Power Against Power
The rivalry between Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill had been building since Cargill's dominant run as WWE Women's Champion began. Cargill, who transitioned from AEW to WWE in 2024, had established herself as a seemingly unstoppable force — undefeated in singles competition and carrying the Women's Championship with an aura of invincibility that few champions achieve.
Ripley, however, was never intimidated. The Australian powerhouse had been the most dominant women's performer in WWE for the past three years, and she viewed Cargill's reign as something that rightfully belonged to her. Their confrontations in the weeks leading to WrestleMania were physical and intense, with both women refusing to back down from the other's intimidation tactics.
What made this rivalry compelling was the physical dynamic. These are two of the most powerful women in professional wrestling history, and the promise of them going head-to-head at WrestleMania generated enormous anticipation. This was not going to be a technical masterclass — this was going to be a fight, and the crowd was ready for it.
The Match: A Physical War at Allegiant Stadium
From the opening lockup, the physicality was off the charts. Ripley and Cargill traded power moves in the opening minutes that would have been finishing sequences in most matches. A Cargill pump kick sent Ripley reeling into the corner. A Ripley headbutt opened a cut above Cargill's eye. Neither woman showed any interest in wrestling a cautious match — this was about dominance, pure and simple.
Cargill controlled the middle portion of the bout, using her incredible athleticism to ground Ripley with a series of slams and impact moves. Her press slam, where she military pressed Ripley above her head before dropping her face-first, drew audible gasps from the crowd. Cargill's confidence grew as she began to disrespect Ripley, standing over her and flexing for the Las Vegas crowd.
That arrogance would prove costly. Ripley is at her most dangerous when she is angry, and Cargill's taunting lit a fire that could not be extinguished. Ripley exploded out of the corner with a series of German suplexes that ragdolled Cargill across the ring, each release throw landing with increasing violence. The momentum had shifted, and the crowd could feel it.
Ripley went for the Riptide, but Cargill powered out and countered into a spinebuster that shook the entire ring. The champion covered — one, two — Ripley kicked out. Cargill immediately went for the Jaded, her signature finishing move, but Ripley blocked it and landed a devastating short-arm clothesline that turned Cargill inside out.
IYO SKY's Intervention: Leveling the Playing Field
Throughout the match, Cargill's allies B-Fab and Michin lurked at ringside, waiting for opportunities to interfere. Their presence had been a factor in several of Cargill's title defenses, and it appeared that history would repeat itself when B-Fab grabbed Ripley's ankle as she bounced off the ropes, causing The Eradicator to stumble and lose her footing.
The interference might have turned the tide of the match permanently had it not been for IYO SKY. The Genius of the Sky sprinted down the entrance ramp at full speed, launching herself over the top rope with a breathtaking Asai Moonsault that flattened both B-Fab and Michin on the arena floor. The crowd erupted — IYO SKY's timing was impeccable, and her execution was flawless.
SKY's intervention was significant on multiple levels. It neutralized Cargill's numerical advantage, ensuring that the Women's Championship would be decided between the two competitors in the ring. It also signaled a potential alliance between Ripley and SKY, two of the most popular women on the roster, which could have major implications for the women's division going forward.
With B-Fab and Michin down, Ripley seized the moment. She caught Cargill with a knee strike as the champion was distracted by the ringside chaos, hoisted her onto her shoulders, and delivered the Riptide with authority. The slam was emphatic — Cargill's shoulders hit the mat, and the referee's hand hit the canvas for three. Rhea Ripley was the new WWE Women's Champion.
Four-Time Champion: Ripley's Historic Achievement
With this victory, Rhea Ripley has now won the WWE Women's Championship four times, placing her among the most decorated women in the history of the title. Her championship resume also includes the NXT Women's Championship and the inaugural NXT UK Women's Championship, making her one of the most accomplished women's wrestlers in WWE history across all brands and territories.
Each of Ripley's title reigns has told a different story. Her first was a statement of arrival. Her second solidified her as the face of the women's division. Her third was marked by the drama of The Judgment Day and her complicated relationship with Dominik Mysterio. This fourth reign feels like a coronation — the definitive acknowledgment that Rhea Ripley is the standard-bearer for women's wrestling in WWE.
At just 29 years old, Ripley has accomplished more than most wrestlers achieve in an entire career. She has main evented WrestleMania, led one of the most popular factions in the company, and consistently delivered in-ring performances that elevate every opponent she faces. Her fourth championship win at WrestleMania 42 adds another milestone to what is already a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Jade Cargill's First WrestleMania Loss: What It Means
For Jade Cargill, this was her first loss at WrestleMania and a significant turning point in her WWE career. Cargill had been booked as a dominant, unbeatable champion, and losing the Women's Championship on the grandest stage of them all represents a major shift in her trajectory.
However, a loss at WrestleMania does not have to be a negative. Some of the greatest careers in wrestling history have been defined by how performers responded to their biggest defeats. Cargill's response on the SmackDown after WrestleMania will be telling — does she spiral into a heel breakdown, or does she channel the loss into motivation for a comeback? Either direction offers compelling storytelling opportunities.
Cargill's physical tools are undeniable. Her athleticism, her look, her charisma — all of the raw materials for superstardom are there. The loss to Ripley, rather than diminishing her, actually humanizes her in a way that could make her more relatable and more interesting as a character going forward. The invincible monster champion is a compelling archetype, but it has a shelf life. The vulnerable warrior fighting back from defeat can sustain a career for decades.
The Women's Division After WrestleMania 42
Ripley's championship victory reshuffles the women's division in exciting ways. IYO SKY's assist at WrestleMania positions her as both a potential ally and a potential challenger — their friendship could blossom into a tag team dynamic, or SKY could invoke the favor owed and demand a title shot of her own. Either scenario creates must-see television.
Bianca Belair, who was notably absent from the Night 2 card, is another obvious challenger. Belair and Ripley have a storied rivalry that has produced some of the best women's matches in recent WWE history, and a fresh chapter in their feud with the Women's Championship on the line would be appointment viewing.
The women's division also benefits from the continued growth of performers like Tiffany Stratton, who has been positioned as a future champion, and the return of established stars who could challenge Ripley. The depth of the roster means that Ripley's fourth reign has the potential to produce a series of high-quality feuds that elevate the entire division.
Additionally, the potential for a Ripley-Liv Morgan rematch looms large. Morgan won the Women's World Championship on Night 1 in a separate match, creating a landscape where two of the most compelling women in WWE each hold gold. A champion-vs-champion match at a future premium live event would be a blockbuster attraction.
Ripley's Evolution: From NXT Underdog to WrestleMania Conqueror
Rhea Ripley's journey to this moment has been one of the most compelling character arcs in modern WWE. She debuted in NXT as a tattooed Australian with a punk-rock aesthetic and immediately stood out as something different in the women's division. Her physicality, her intensity, and her willingness to take risks made her a fan favorite from day one.
Her early career was defined by moments of adversity. She lost the NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36 in a match that many felt she should have won. Her initial main roster run was rocky, with creative struggles to find the right positioning for her character. But Ripley persevered, adapting and evolving until she found the perfect balance of menace and charisma as The Eradicator.
Her time in The Judgment Day elevated her profile to new heights, giving her a platform to showcase both her in-ring ability and her personality. The dynamic with Dominik Mysterio, love it or hate it, was one of the most talked-about storylines in wrestling for over a year and proved that Ripley could carry a complex narrative alongside her championship pursuits.
Now, as a four-time Women's Champion, Ripley stands at the summit of the women's division with the confidence and credibility of someone who has earned every accolade through perseverance, talent, and an unshakable belief in herself. At WrestleMania 42, Mami got her gold — and the entire women's division is on notice.