Predicting the Next Women's World Champion in WWE After Rhea Ripley Injury

Due to an unforeseen injury, WWE will start the Triple H era with a new women's champion on April 22.

On the latest episode of Raw, Rhea Ripley opened the show on a somber note as she revealed that she would be forced to vacate the Women's World Championship. The Eradicator held the mantle for 380 days, tying Bayley's record-setting reign.

This unfortunate development came as the Australian was 41 days away from becoming the longest-reigning women's champion of the modern era.

Her time on top of the Raw women's division elevated her to new heights, but there was still more ground left to cover.

For now, many fans must feel robbed of a confrontation with Liv Morgan and a satisfying end to their storyline. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old warned the next titleholder: "When she comes back, she's coming for blood."

WWE will crown a new champion next week ahead of the upcoming draft. It's unclear how the company will determine the winner, but the second woman to hold the world title already has some big shoes to fill.

Liv Morgan's Revenge Tour

Straight away, Morgan is a favorite to take on the mantle after she didn't appear at WrestleMania 40. Yes, this is a predictable outcome after she ambushed Ripley backstage and caused her shoulder injury.

However, this is the best way to extend their rivalry until The Eradicator is ready to return.

Viewers also took to social media to express their frustration when Morgan lost the women's Elimination Chamber match and seemingly missed her chance at retribution.

The 29-year-old has a long history with Ripley making her the most storied threat to her reign. The former tag team partners competed in a Fatal Four-Way for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 38.

However, Sasha Banks and Naomi won the titles, and Morgan and Ripley unsuccessfully challenged them a few weeks later. This ultimately catalyzed the latter to turn on her teammate and join The Judgment Day.

As a singles competitor, the faction's de facto leader won the 2023 women's Royal Rumble match, and the rest is history.

The former women's world champion reignited their feud when she attacked Raquel Rodriguez backstage on July 17, which cost her and Morgan the tag titles.

On the following episode of Raw, she brutally attacked her one-time friend, keeping her out of action for six months. However, this set up her return at Royal Rumble and her current revenge tour.

Although many feared Becky Lynch would dethrone Ripley before she could finally get payback, the New Jersey native still had a chance to end her dominant run. In fact, she was happy her tormentor retained her title because she intended to take it from her.

The current situation may slightly cheapen her win, but putting her rival on the shelf as she claims her vacant mantle still gives her bragging rights. This also allows Morgan to go in a different direction with her character and add some much-needed edge.

A Potential Dark Horse

While Morgan is likely the next woman in line to win, Nia Jax is also a strong option.

The Irresistible Force has been an excellent addition to the Raw women's division since she returned to WWE last September.

She seems more motivated, in better shape, and her matches have been noticeably better. To that end, the main event of Elimination Chamber is a career highlight for Ripley, but it was also potentially the best match of the challenger's career.

Like Morgan, Jax hasn't had a truly great singles title run yet, and this is her chance to rectify that. With a win over The Man and a dominant showing in this year's women's Royal Rumble match, it's the perfect time to push her as the new world champion.

Jax would also offer the more predictable option another obstacle to overcome and a way to win the crowd over.

It was surreal to watch the live audience boo Morgan when Ripley has taken so much from her over the past year. Maybe giving her a new adversary who isn't as popular would help her regain the crowd's support.

The Verdict

Barring some surprise return or major roster shakeup, Morgan will more than likely win the women's world title.

If Ripley didn't get injured, she probably would've ended her reign anyway and this continues to build off of their history. Honestly, it just seems like her time and this is a great opportunity to erase the lingering doubts from her last tenure as champion.

With the WWE draft coming up, this is also an ideal time to give her the reins and some fresh opponents. Given the right feuds and a change of direction, this could be the shot in the arm Morgan needs to develop into a bigger star.