Rhea Ripley to feud with recently returned ex-tag team partner following WWE Crown Jewel 2023? Looking at the chances

Rhea Ripley is set to face four other women for the Women's World Championship at WWE Crown Jewel 2023. However, as a champion and one of the top stars in the company, she has a much bigger target on her back. After the Saudi Arabia event, she may cross paths with a former tag team partner.

Rhea Ripley made her main roster debut in February 2021 and spent her initial months challenging for the RAW Women's Championship against Asuka, which she failed. In September of that year, she allied with Nikki A.S.H. and won the Women's Tag Team titles against Natalya and Tamina. They eventually dropped it in November. In January 2022, Nikki betrayed Ripley to end their partnership. However, the duo may meet again after WWE Crown Jewel 2023.

Nikki Cross recently returned to WWE programming on this week's RAW. She retained her "unhinged" character while in a tag team match with Natalya, whom the former just ignored the entire time and provided no assistance. While the return of her eccentric character could result in a better run in the division, another person may be in line to feud with Rhea.

After WWE Crown Jewel 2023, Rhea will likely have a singles feud with Nia Jax instead. The champion was laid to waste after the latter returned last month, and The Eradicator still hasn't gotten a proper revenge yet. Additionally, Cross' character is still developing and might need a few weeks to solidify itself to be worthy of inclusion in the title picture.

How did the team of Rhea Ripley and Nikki Cross form in WWE?

Rhea and Nikki as the Women's Tag Team Champions

The team of Ripley and Cross may come as somewhat of an unexpected duo, especially since the latter's character at the time was comical since she portrayed a superhero. Still, it proved successful since they had a good relationship off-screen.

While speaking to Sportskeed Wrestling's SP3, Rhea Ripley revealed that her partnership with Nikki suddenly formed one day. Despite Cross being older, The Eradicator treats her like a baby sister since Nikki "is so crazy."

Did Rhea Ripley and Nikki Cross already face each other in WWE?

Rhea and Nikki have faced each other several times before and after their tag team run. They had two house show matches in NXT UK for the brand's Women's Championship, which Rhea won both times. Since 2021, they faced each other in a singles match four times. Cross won only once, while Ripley won thrice.

It remains to be seen when Rhea and Nikki's paths will cross again in WWE.