Rhea Ripley is set to defend the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WWE Backlash against hometown star Zelina Vega. Wrestling veteran Jim Cornette recently weighed in on why he thinks The Nightmare will retain her title in Puerto Rico this weekend.
Ripley’s Title Defense
Rhea Ripley earned a title shot after winning the 2023 Women’s WWE Royal Rumble match and chose to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Ripley won the match at WrestleMania, and her match against Vega this weekend will be her first title defense. Speaking on Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru podcast, the legendary wrestling manager said that he is confident Rhea Ripley will leave Puerto Rico with her SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Vega’s Chances
Jim Cornette’s co-host, Brian Last, floated the idea of WWE possibly doing a title change since Zelina Vega will still be on SmackDown going forward while Rhea Ripley has been drafted to RAW. However, Cornette still stuck to his guns and doubled down, saying that he feels there is no chance of Vega beating The Eradicator of The Judgment Day in any universe right now.
Backlash Predictions
Cornette said, “My money is on Ripley, obviously, because they aren’t going to switch the title just because it’s in [Zelina Vega]’s home town and she don’t need to beat Rhea Ripley in any other city in the country or the world, so I think Ripley retains there.” So, can Vega overcome the odds and win the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WWE Backlash? Fans will have to wait and see what transpires during the event.
