Liv Morgan’s victory over Iyo Sky at Saturday Night’s Main Event solidified her reign as WWE Women’s World Champion, a reign marked by both triumphs and controversies. While many of Morgan’s wins have been shrouded in contentious circumstances, her clean victory over Sky, achieved with a decisive Oblivion, stands out. This outcome was predictable, as Sky, despite her own past as a world champion, hadn’t been prominently positioned as a genuine threat to Morgan’s title. The match served a larger narrative purpose, setting the stage for the inevitable resurgence of the rivalry between Morgan and Rhea Ripley. Ripley’s post-match confrontation with Morgan underscored the continuation of their long-standing feud, a rivalry that has dominated the women’s division throughout 2023.
The Morgan-Ripley feud, while initially captivating and filled with memorable moments, has arguably run its course. Its longevity, however, speaks to the limited options within Raw’s women’s division, particularly in the absence of major stars like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Bianca Belair’s extended involvement in the tag team division further restricts the pool of potential contenders for Morgan’s title. Consequently, WWE has leaned heavily on the Morgan-Ripley dynamic, often prioritizing their personal animosity over the championship itself. This reliance, while understandable given the circumstances, has inadvertently sidelined other talented performers, including Iyo Sky.
Sky’s involvement in Saturday Night’s Main Event mirrored Sami Zayn’s role against Drew McIntyre, serving as a stepping stone for a pre-determined narrative. Despite her impressive in-ring performance and undeniable fan support, Sky was never a realistic contender for the title. Her match against Morgan was a plot device to reignite the Morgan-Ripley feud, building towards a rematch after the controversial finish at Bad Blood, an event that marked a decline in the rivalry’s narrative strength. Sky’s loss, while furthering the overarching storyline, underscores her current position within the division, eclipsed by the prominence of Morgan and Ripley.
The prolonged focus on the Morgan-Ripley rivalry, while partly a result of roster limitations, also reflects WWE’s commitment to long-term storytelling. However, this commitment often benefits only a select few performers, leaving others like Sky in a state of narrative limbo. Sky’s previous reign as WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown, culminating in her loss to Bayley at WrestleMania 40, has been largely overshadowed by subsequent events. Her current position on Raw highlights the disparity in WWE’s narrative focus. While Ripley and Morgan benefit from the extended storyline, Sky’s potential remains untapped, her earlier achievements fading into the background.
Liv Morgan’s title reign, initiated at the King & Queen of the Ring event in May, has been inextricably linked to her feud with Rhea Ripley. At times, the championship itself has felt secondary to their personal conflict, a testament to the intensity of their rivalry. Ripley’s recent assertion that she is “not done” with Morgan reinforces the ongoing nature of their feud, a narrative choice driven by WWE’s limited options within the women’s division. The absence of key players and the focus on specific storylines have constrained the opportunities for other talented performers, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach to character development and storyline progression.
Morgan’s victory at Saturday Night’s Main Event, while significant in the short term, is unlikely to alter the long-term trajectory of the women’s division. The prevailing narrative points towards an eventual title change, with Ripley positioned as the most likely successor. The ongoing rivalry, despite its extended duration, remains a central focus of Raw’s women’s division. While Morgan’s current reign provides a temporary reprieve, the shadow of Ripley looms large, suggesting that the championship will ultimately find its way back to her. This predictable outcome underscores the need for new storylines and the elevation of other talented performers within the division, allowing for a more dynamic and unpredictable landscape in the future.