All things considered, WrestleMania 40 delivered as over 140K wrestling fans in total packed Lincoln Financial Field on both nights. The Showcase of the Immortals saw three matches where the women’s division would be on full display. A championship changed hands, a champion continued her dominance, and six women put it all on the line. That being said, here is a recap of those matches and something more.
The Women’s World Championship Kicks Off WrestleMania 40
Night One of WrestleMania 40 opened with the challenger Becky Lynch squaring off against the Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley. Their entrances summarized who they are as superstars. First, Lynch’s entrance consisted of excerpts from her new book with her theme music. For Ripley, it was her favorite band Motionless In White playing her theme “Demon In Your Dreams” playing her down the ramp.
It is important to note that the announcers stated that Lynch was dealing with a fever and strep throat. Early on saw the champ take control of the match with a powerful arsenal of attacks. There was no quit in The Man as Lynch didn’t give up all through this fight. In the end and two riptides later, Ripley retained the title as she will continue to reign supreme in the women’s division.
Ripley got her third win and second consecutive one at WrestleMania 40. She will have no shortage of challengers, including Liv Morgan and Nia Jax. For Lynch, her effort given how she entered the match cannot be understated. She has been a torch bearer for the women’s division for some time and some well-deserved time off could be in her future.
Cargill Shines in WrestleMania Debut with Belair and Naomi
Night One of WrestleMania also saw the team of Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Naomi face Dakota Kai and the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). In this match, the team of Kai and the Kabuki Warriors took advantage early as Sane laid out Naomi with a high-flying elbow. The members of Damage CTRL kept the attack going on Naomi who eventually tagged in Belair. However, it was not until Cargill entered the match that business began to pick up.
As she did on her SmackDown debut, Cargill laid out Kai, Asuka, and Sane with her talent on display in front of over 70K fans. Cargill got her first win at WrestleMania as she hit her finishing move Jaded on Kai. This match did not last long but showed that no one wants to be in the eye of the storm aka Cargill.
Bayley and her WrestleMania Moment
The match between Bayley and IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship was personal as Sky and Damage CTRL turned on Bayley. These superstars were friends who turned into enemies as the physicality was shown throughout the match. Also, Sky targeted the former leader of Damage CTRL’s leg as Bayley has a history of injuries there.
Overall, this was a match that was main event-worthy with two of the best in WWE laying it all on the line. As someone who loves storytelling, this contest was as poetic as it was bodily. Ultimately, Bayley pinned Sky to become the new WWE Women’s Champion as the crowd erupted in joy. It was her first WrestleMania victory in a one-on-one match as she got her moment on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
A rematch between the two at the next premium live event (PLE), Backlash, next month, wouldn’t be a surprise. Like Lynch, Bayley has helped the women’s division in and out of the ring. This made her WrestleMania moment even more special.
A Personal Shoutout to Four Amazing Women
I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge some women who deserved some much-needed recognition. Firstly, referees Daphanie LaShaunn aka Ref Bae, and Jessika Carr were amazing on both nights of WrestleMania 40. It is a norm to see female referees calling big-time matches as
Ring announcer Samantha Irvin worked both nights of the event. She gave the call that WWE fans won’t soon forget, announcing Cody Rhodes as the new (Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Irvin is a superstar in her own right and owned it.
Lastly, Stephanie McMahon opened up Night Two of WrestleMania 40 as she hyped the Philly crowd. McMahon took a page out of her husband Paul “Triple H” Levesque, asking the crowd “Are you ready?”. Given the cloud hanging over her dad and WWE, she was a welcome sight.
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