Rhea Ripley Eradicates Zelina Vega At WWE Backlash, Retains Smackdown Women’s Title (Pics, Clips)

Rhea Ripley managed to retain her Smackdown women’s title at WWE Backlash, defeating challenger Zelina Vega. While Vega was the favorite of the Puerto Rico crowd, Ripley managed to hit Riptide to get the win. Vega received a standing ovation after the match was over.

Ripley is in the middle of her first reign as Smackdown women’s champion. She has been champion for 35 days after defeating Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania.

You can follow along with our live coverage of Backlash here.

Take it ALL in, @ZelinaVegaWWE. ❤️🥲#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/j0LQ4AFSu9

— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023

What a performance by @ZelinaVegaWWE at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/6Sw7ewl4rG

— WWE (@WWE) May 7, 2023

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1655021670170492928

2023 @RheaRipley_WWE is DIFFERENT! 😈#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/FfAsDqnWAP

— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) May 7, 2023

🇵🇷 DO IT FOR THE CULTURE @ZelinaVegaWWE! 🇵🇷#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/7VoEuJhw9U

— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) May 7, 2023

This is an ALL-TIME career night in Puerto Rico for @ZelinaVegaWWE 🇵🇷🏆#WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/CkEpnpKaHm

— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) May 7, 2023

These kinds of moments are ONCE IN A LIFETIME 🙏@ZelinaVegaWWE #WWEBacklashpic.twitter.com/oUaepI9bOy

— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) May 7, 2023