Becky Lynch has criticized Rhea Ripley in another strong speech.
The WWE superstar is set to challenge her rival for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40 this weekend in Philadelphia, and she insisted she has been ‘the heart and soul’ of the women’s division while the Judgment Day star’s attention has been elsewhere.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk in the buildup to their match, she said: ‘I feel good. I feel underestimated. And that’s a good thing for me, because I feel like Rhea has been front and center, she’s been doing great work.
‘When she has matches, on those rare occasions, she does well, she delivers. She’s mostly been seen fluttering backstage, or ringside, taking care of The Judgment Day’s business.
‘Meanwhile, I’ve been the heart and soul of the division, I have been elevating everybody. Before I won that NXT Women’s Championship, there was not a lot for people to fight for. Now, we see almost every woman on TV every single week.’
Although Rhea has been busy lately – she’s had eight untelevised matches since March 15 – she wrestled just four times in total between New Year’s Day and early last month.
In contrast, Becky – who has criticized Rhea for the way she portrays herself on social media – has had just three matches over the last couple of weeks, and 10 matches total in March, with a further two bouts in February and eight clashes in January.
Between September and October last year, The Man made waves as NXT Women’s Champion, giving the spotlight to often overlooked stars like Tiffany Stratton, Tegan Nox, Indi Hartwell and Lyra Valkyria.
‘There’s really been a moment of change, I feel. And now you’re getting more. You’ve got Maxine [Dupri] getting time, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, Natalia – everybody’s featured, everybody’s doing something,’ Becky said.
‘So, we have everybody doing stuff. I’ve been fighting nonstop, working nonstop. I’ve been the one at live events, I have been that female centerpiece on every single live event. Rhea hasn’t been there, I’ve been doing the work.’
The seven-time world champion insisted she isn’t always ‘appreciated’ for the amount of work she does, but she’s in a great spot heading into WrestleMania.
‘So I’ve been doing the work, haven’t necessarily been appreciated for it. That’s fine. If people are rooting against me, that’s fine. If people are rooting for me, that’s fine. I have nothing to lose,’ she smiled.
‘And that’s the great thing. I don’t have the title, so I don’t have a title to lose. So I don’t have anything to lose. I’m not seen on this streak, this isn’t my hot run – but this is my best run.
‘And so whether people realise it or they don’t, it doesn’t make a difference, because I’m gonna go in there and take that title.’
WWE WrestleMania 40 comes from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. Watch on both nights at midnight on the WWE Network.
