WWE threw a curveball hours before the February 20 SmackDown broadcast. Rhea Ripley stepped in to face Giulia after the company pulled IYO SKY from the advertised non-title singles match. The last-minute change caught fans off guard and immediately shifted the complexion of the women’s card.
The original plan promised a first-time singles showdown between two Japanese stars. Instead, viewers got a clash between champions: Ripley, one half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, against Giulia, the reigning Women’s United States Champion. WWE offered no official explanation for the switch, leaving fans to piece together the reasoning and wonder what it means for the division moving forward.
What Prompted The Change To Ripley Vs Giulia
WWE announced the substitution via social media just hours before SmackDown went live. The update confirmed Ripley would replace her tag partner Iyo Sky and face Giulia in a non-title bout. No injury report surfaced. No backstage drama leaked. The company simply updated the lineup and moved on.
That silence fueled speculation across wrestling forums and social platforms. Some wondered whether Sky was dealing with a minor injury. Others theorized that creative forces decided to pivot at the last second to strengthen a storyline for WrestleMania. A few insiders floated the possibility of travel complications or timing conflicts, though none of those theories gained traction with confirmed details.
What Happens Next For SmackDown
SmackDown may provide an in-show explanation for the change, or WWE might let the match unfold without addressing the substitution directly. Either approach has precedent. Sometimes the company writes around a late adjustment with a backstage segment or an on-air announcement. Other times it trusts the audience to accept the new matchup and move on.
Wrestling reporters will continue monitoring Iyo Sky’s status. If an injury or travel issue caused the change, details will likely surface in the coming days. WWE better hope its not a long term thing because they have been bitten by the injury bug lately with the Bron Breakker Injury.
Giulia vs Ripley should be a good match as both are phenomenal in the ring. Booking wise, WWE have butchered Giulia and her US Title reigns have been absolutely garbage. If WWE was to play it smart, have Giulia pin Ripley. Why not, she’s looked awful for many months, beating Ripley would make her look so strong as a champion. But lets be real, WWE prefers her manager Kiana James over her, so watch them try to make Kiana look strong instead.
Why This Matters For The Women’s Division
Ripley and Sky have built momentum as a tag team, and that partnership remains a priority. Balancing those responsibilities with singles opportunities for both women will test WWE’s booking strategy. This match represents another test of her ability to deliver against top-tier opponents and should be a fun one to watch.
The lack of an official reason for the change keeps the door open for multiple outcomes. The Ripley versus Giulia matchup could evolve into a longer-term rivalry with championship implications. Or tag team championship complications, but let’s be real, WWE never cared about the Women’s Tag Team division. WWE has way too many belts, and those Women’s Tag Team belts have got to go. Waste of TV time and a missed opportunity in general.
Looking Ahead To SmackDown
A last-minute replacement on SmackDown turned a scheduled first-time singles encounter into a champion-versus-champion showdown that carries different stakes and different energy. WWE kept the star power intact while shifting the narrative, and the wrestling world will watch closely for what comes next. I just hope that whatever is keeping Iyo Sky off of TV, that it is not long term.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
