At WrestleMania 40, Rhea Ripley defeated Becky Lynch in a highly-anticipated match to retain her Women’s World Championship. This victory marked a significant milestone in Ripley’s career, as it solidified her as one of WWE’s top stars. The match was built up over several months, culminating in a thrilling showdown between the two talented wrestlers. Ripley’s win over Lynch was seen as a statement by WWE, declaring her as the new face of the women’s division.
Becky Lynch’s future with WWE is currently uncertain, as she has yet to sign a new contract with the company. Lynch’s loss to Ripley at WrestleMania suggests that there may still be progress to be made in contract negotiations. With several major stars, including Drew McIntyre, also facing contract expirations, WWE is in a position where it must decide how to handle top-level contracts moving forward. The recent signing of Mercedes Mone, who is believed to be the highest-paid women’s wrestler in pro wrestling history, has set a precedent for contract negotiations in the industry.
WWE’s unwillingness to meet Mone’s contract demands led her to sign with AEW instead, highlighting the competitive nature of the wrestling industry. Lynch now finds herself in a similar position, facing uncertainty as her contract expiration date looms in June. With other marquee women’s stars such as Ripley and Bianca Belair rising in prominence, Lynch’s status within WWE has shifted, making her more expendable in the eyes of the company. WWE’s reluctance to break its pay scale for top stars could impact how negotiations with Lynch play out in the coming months.
The departure of high-profile stars like Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, and Chris Jericho from WWE in recent years has changed the landscape of the wrestling industry. Lynch’s loss to Ripley at WrestleMania 40 underscores the shifting dynamics within WWE, as the company no longer feels the need to offer lucrative deals to retain top talent. This trend could have significant implications for Lynch’s future with WWE, as she navigates contract negotiations amid a changing industry climate where financial considerations play a crucial role.
The outcome of Lynch’s contract negotiations will be indicative of how WWE plans to handle future top-level contracts, especially in light of the changing demands of wrestlers seeking more favorable terms. Ripley’s victory over Lynch at WrestleMania could serve as a foreshadowing of what is to come in terms of contract negotiations and talent management within WWE. As Lynch grapples with her future in the company, the wrestling world watches closely to see how WWE will respond to the evolving demands of its top stars.
