Sports

3 Reasons why Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY are your new Women’s Tag Team Champions on WWE RAW


The first episode of WWE RAW in 2026 kicked off with a Women’s Tag Team Title match where The Kabuki Warriors defended their championship against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY.

The match concluded with a title change when The Eradicator and the Genius of the Sky pinned Asuka, making them the new champions. In this article, we will discuss three reasons why Ripley and SKY are the new Women’s Tag Team Champions on the red brand.


#3. No singles plans for Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY

IYO SKY & RHEA RIPLEY ARE THE NEW WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS. RHIYO FOREVER.

WWE is moving toward the Royal Rumble 2026 Premium Live Event, scheduled to take place by the end of this month. The title change on Monday Night RAW seems to have happened because the Stamford-based promotion has no singles plans for Ripley and SKY.

This could be why they decided to put the tag team titles on their shoulders. With this title change, Triple H’s creative team only needs to book Rhea and IYO to defend their tag team gold ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42.


#2. Could be planning to set the stage for Ripley vs. SKY at WrestleMania 42

Over the past few months, fans have been anticipating The Eradicator’s heel turn, but it has yet to unfold. The tag team title switch could be used to set the stage for Mami’s heel turn.

In the coming weeks, whenever Rhea and SKY lose their tag team championship, the former Judgment Day member may turn heel in frustration and attack the Genius of the Sky.

This could lead to a match between them at WrestleMania 42, with Ripley as a villainous star and SKY as a babyface.


#1. To add surprise to the first episode of WWE RAW in 2026

The latest edition of WWE RAW was the first episode of Monday Night RAW in 2026. Usually, on such special occasions, the Stamford-based promotion executes surprises and unexpected title changes.

Putting titles on Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY could be a way to add a surprise to the show and make it more memorable. This title switch provided a surprising opening to the Monday Night RAW episode and got fans tuning in for the rest of the show.

Rest, it remains to be seen how things will unfold in the coming weeks, as Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.