Following her victory at Backlash on Saturday, Bianca Belair is now officially the longest reigning Raw Women’s Champion. And not just that, but the longest reigning Women’s Champion in general from the main roster of the modern era. That accolade was previously held by Becky Lynch.
At Backlash, Belair had her toughest competition yet as she opened the show with a stellar performance against IYO SKY. SKY was receiving a huge response from the crowd in San Juan who were rooting her on. The challenger focused throughout the match on the injured arm of Belair and would spend the back half of the match avoiding and countering the KOD.
Despite not having the rest of Damage CTRL ringside for the majority of the match, Bayley and Dakota Kai would eventually make their way down. They did everything they could to distract the referee including Bayley holding down the braid of Belair but she got caught by the official.
Finally, Belair was able to execute the KOD and win the match. Fantastic match between both women.
The second women’s match was for the SmackDown Women’s Title. Rhea Ripley was in her first defense since winning the belt from Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania. Her opponent? Zelina Vega who got to wrestle for the first time in front of her family and friends in Puerto Rico. Her entrance, her gear, everything was a special moment for Vega as she was very emotional to start the match.
The match itself was short but effective. Much as SKY was trying to avoid the KOD in her match, Vega tried to stay away from the Riptide. Vega climbed to the top rope and hit a diving Meteora on the champion, but only got a near fall. Vega tried to stay on Ripley with two forearm stikes, but the champ responded with a kick before hitting the Riptide for the pinfall.
Post-match, Ripley made her way up the ramp and to the back as Vega stayed in the ring. She would make her way to her feet as the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Vega dedicated this match to her father who passed away in the 9/11 attacks.
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