Iyo Sky has a chip on her shoulder heading into WrestleMania 41. She may be the Women’s World Champion — Sky also walked into last year’s Show of Shows with SmackDown’s counterpart title — but she finds herself playing second fiddle to her challengers.
A common sentiment is that Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair was the money match, and there was no rhyme or reason to include The Genius of the Sky in the mix.
Iyo Sky’s Fierce Message to Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley rose to superstardom in 2023, becoming one of WWE’s biggest merchandise movers alongside top stars like Cody Rhodes. This year’s WrestleMania marks her sixth consecutive participation at the annual spectacle.
Bianca Belair has been in the main event scene right out of the gate upon her arrival to the main roster in 2020. But Sky, relatively, took her time to reach a prominent position in the sports entertainment giant.
Despite a successful run as Women’s Champion between the summer of 2023 and April 2024, The Genius of the Sky was relegated to an afterthought for the remainder of the year after losing the belt to Bayley.
In a WrestleMania hype package promotional video aired on RAW, Sky stated that no matter how much her challengers want to make it all about themselves, like she “mean[s] nothing,” she is the reason they are fighting with each other.
The Japanese star reminded everyone that she holds the Women’s World Title, the very prize that Ripley and Belair are fighting for. She also referenced her past victories over both challengers, confidently stating that their upcoming Triple-Threat match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas would yield the same result. Sky concluded her promo by declaring that The Eradicator and The EST would not forget her name after WrestleMania.
How WrestleMania 41’s Women’s World Championship Took Shape
At Elimination Chamber on March 1, 2025, Bianca Belair secured her spot at WrestleMania 41 by winning the titular match. Two nights later, Sky delivered a shock to the WWE Universe by dethroning Rhea Ripley. The surprise stemmed from the widespread expectation of a singles match between Belair and Ripley on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
In the subsequent weeks, The Eradicator took it upon herself to provoke both Sky and Belair and even RAW general manager Adam Pearce. Throughout this time, the Women’s World Champion was somewhat overshadowed as Ripley and The EST’s egos clashed. Ultimately, Pearce added the former Judgment Day member to the title match. The Australian wrestler recently criticized WWE fans for their negative reactions to her inclusion in the WrestleMania 41 Triple Threat match.