The WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray recently shared his confusion about the opening segment of WWE Raw between IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley, highlighting the complexity WWE sometimes injects into its storytelling. The segment, which involved emotional tension, faction strife, and evolving alliances, left Bully Ray—and many fans—questioning the clarity and motivations of the characters involved.
The Context: A Turbulent Night on WWE Raw
On the September 29, 2025, episode of WWE Raw, fans witnessed a dramatic confrontation involving IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, and the faction known as the Kabuki Warriors—composed of Asuka and Kairi Sane. The storyline had been building following the Kabuki Warriors’ brutal turn against IYO SKY, which set a chaotic tone for the episode’s main events.
During the segment, Asuka spat mist into Ripley’s face before IYO SKY intervened to protect Ripley, signaling a potential shift in loyalties. However, the situation escalated when Asuka unexpectedly misted SKY herself and ordered Sane to assault both Ripley and SKY brutally. The segment ended with IYO and Ripley reluctantly agreeing to team up against their common enemies at the upcoming WWE Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia[1][2].
Bully Ray’s Confusion: Why the Opening Didn’t Add Up
Bully Ray expressed on his podcast that the opening segment was perplexing to him because the motivations appeared muddled, especially given the long history and established relationships among the involved wrestlers. The key point of confusion was why IYO SKY, once a loyal member of the Kabuki Warriors, would so quickly and ambiguously shift her allegiance while simultaneously making reluctant peace with Ripley.
According to Ray, the segment felt like it tried to fit too much intense emotion and sudden betrayal into a short opening, which compromised storytelling clarity. He noted that while WWE often uses such complicated layers to advance narratives, this particular moment lacked enough context to make IYO SKY’s internal conflict immediately understandable to the casual fan:
“It’s like watching a chess game with half the pieces missing,” Ray said. “You want to know why the player made the move, but there’s just not enough info on the board yet.”[Original source context]
Backstage Insight: WWE’s Intent to Build a High-Stakes Women’s Tag Title Match
Sources close to WWE creative reveal that the segment’s confusion was partially intentional to build suspense around the dynamics between IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, and the Kabuki Warriors leading into their high-profile tag team match at Crown Jewel on October 11, 2025.
The match officially pits Ripley and SKY together against the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), creating an unusual alliance out of former foes[1]. A WWE insider explained:
“The goal was to showcase the emotional turmoil within SKY—torn between her ‘family’ and newfound loyalty to Ripley. That tension adds depth to the match and creates a storyline that fans will want to follow closely.”[1]
The insider also noted that WWE is experimenting with more layered female character arcs, distinguishing from more straightforward storytelling formats.
What Happened in the Segment from a Viewer’s Perspective?
Highlights of the Raw opening segment included:
- Asuka’s mist attack on Ripley, signaling the Kabuki Warriors’ aggression.
- IYO SKY’s hesitant intervention, showcasing her internal struggle.
- The shocking moment when Asuka sprayed mist into SKY’s eyes, marking her heel turn.
- The subsequent assault on both Ripley and SKY by the Kabuki Warriors.
- A backstage conversation confirming Ripley and SKY’s reluctant partnership against the Kabuki Warriors[2][3].
The overall segment was packed with action and emotion but left some viewers, including Bully Ray, questioning the pacing and clarity of character intentions.
The Bigger Picture: WWE’s Push for Women’s Tag Team Wrestling
This storyline aligns with WWE’s ongoing push to elevate its Women’s Tag Team division, which has seen increased prominence in recent years. Pairing top stars like Rhea Ripley with IYO SKY, despite their complicated history, injects new intrigue and star power into the title chase.
Industry analysts view this angle as a strategic move by WWE to:
- Create compelling, dynamic rivalries.
- Showcase women’s wrestling as equally layered and high-stakes as the men’s divisions.
- Build pay-per-view draws, particularly for major events such as Crown Jewel[1].
What’s Next for IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley?
With their confirmed team-up at WWE Crown Jewel, the IYO SKY-Rhea Ripley alliance signals exciting developments ahead. The event will see them face the Kabuki Warriors in what promises to be a hard-fought contest laden with backstory.
Given the backstage reports and Bully Ray’s critique, WWE may clarify IYO SKY’s internal conflicts more explicitly in future episodes to help fans better understand her motivations.
Final Thoughts: Wrestling Storytelling’s Balancing Act
Bully Ray’s confusion underscores the challenge WWE faces in balancing complex character development with clear storytelling—especially in condensed TV segments.
While the segment’s emotional weight is clear, some fans and veterans desire a more straightforward presentation to avoid alienating casual viewers. As WWE moves forward with this storyline, the hope is that clarity will follow the intriguing chaos, enhancing fans’ emotional investment in IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, and the Kabuki Warriors.
This evolving narrative not only highlights the dramatic potential in WWE’s women’s division but also serves as a reminder that even wrestling legends like Bully Ray grapple with understanding the layered directions creative teams sometimes take. As one source close to WWE put it:
“Sometimes, the story is a puzzle, and you have to wait to see how all the pieces finally fit.”[Backstage source]