SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley def. Zelina Vega

Despite competing in her home country of Puerto Rico, Zelina Vega couldn’t quite muster enough to dethrone Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Women’s Title.

With the crowd at a fever pitch while Vega made her entrance with a giant Puerto Rican flag draped over her shoulders, the emotional hometown competitor gave it everything she had, even pulling out a chancla given to her by her mother who was sitting at ringside.

Zelina Vega gets the opportunity of a lifetime as she attempts to pry the SmackDown Women's Title from Rhea Ripley in front of her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more. #WWEBacklash

Ripley was undeterred, as she used her incredible power to throw Vega across the ring, sapping her and the crowd of any momentum that she once had.

Vega finally found her footing and hit a 619 followed by a second-rope Meteora, but it seemed to only infuriate The Eradicator. Moments later, the champion snatched Vega and hit her with a Riptide, securing the victory and retaining her title.

As Vega slowly got back to her feet after the match, the tearful Superstar received another deafening ovation from the adoring WWE Universe in her hometown.

Published on May 6, 2023

Matt Gilpin

Despite competing in her home country of Puerto Rico, Zelina Vega couldn’t quite muster enough to dethrone Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Women’s Title.

Ripley was undeterred, as she used her incredible power to throw Vega across the ring, sapping her and the crowd of any momentum that she once had.

As Vega slowly got back to her feet after the match, the tearful Superstar received another deafening ovation from the adoring WWE Universe in her hometown.