Rhea Ripley is one of the most thrilling to watch and a dominating force in all of pro wrestling. With a look and attitude all her own, coupled with strength that few can match in the ring, Ripley has garnered attention on every continent. In this piece, we take a deeper look into her life and career as well as the impact she has had in WWE which are some of what people have questions about on platforms like YouTube and Google.
Who is Rhea Ripley?
Rhea Ripley (born Demi Bennett; 11 October 1996) is an Australian professional wrestler signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand. She works for the Raw brand and is currently one of WWE’s female wrestlers with a lot of prominence. Ripley has become a bit of a cult figure, noted for her powerful mix of athleticism tempered with charisma that draws an ardent niche following.
Early Life and Background
The Adelaide-raised star had always been into sports and fitness while she was growing up. She learned different physical activities in her youth such as soccer, swimming, and karate. But professional wrestling is what truly grabbed her. She was influenced by WWE legends Triple H, The Miz, and The Undertaker which led to her pursuit of a wrestling career starting from the Australian circuit.
Rhea Ripley Wrestling Career
Beginnings in Australia
Ripley started her wrestling career in 2013 at the age of 17, working for various independent promotions under Demi Bennett. It was not long before she became known for her toughness and fierce approach to battling. Her work in Ripley caught the attention of international promotions as well and it didn’t take WWE too much time to come calling.
WWE Mae Young Classic[edit]
Rhea Ripley made her WWE debut in the opening contest of 2017’s Mae Young Classic—spotlighting women from across the globe. While she was eliminated in the second round, Ripley’s showings left a lasting impression on fans as well as WWE higher-ups. The Mae Young Classic was the starting point to her WWE journey, and quite frankly could have been a perfect segue into introduction onto our screens.
NXT UK Women’s Champion
Rhea Ripley got her big break in WWE when she won the first NXT UK Women’s Championship in 2018. That stint in NXT UK upended her, it was the first time she had been able to perform on such a big stage and Kovac wasted little time making an impact. Ripley cemented her as one of the division’s best in his run atop it.
Dominance in NXT
After finding success in NXT UK, Rhea Ripley eventually moved over to WWE’s US-based NXT brand. She continued to dominate the women’s division before ultimately winning the NXT Women’s Championship by besting Shayna Baszler in December 2019. It was a major milestone in Ripley’s career, marking her first reign with both the NXT and NXT UK Women’s Championship.
WrestleMania and Main Roster Accomplishments
Or creative high, depending on your outlook – Rhea Ripley made her WrestleMania debut at 2020’s show of shows as she defended the NXT Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair. Ripley may have come up short in the match, but her performance on one of WWE’s biggest stages drew a ton of praise.
Finally making her way up to WWE’s main roster in 2021, Ripley picked right back up where she left off. The thing about Rhea Ripley is that she burst onto the scene and immediately challenged Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship, winning at WrestleMania 37. The victory established Ripley as one of the top stars in WWE, and with it was her first main roster title win.
Top Five Elements of Rhea Ripley’s Character
Unique Look and Charisma
Rhea Ripley has one of the most unique looks in all of WWE Ripley’s blonde pixie cut and dark clothes — as well as her many tattoos — help signal that she sticks out in a field often dominated by more traditional looks. Her appearance along with her built an impressive persona in the WWE ring as well.
A fundamental component of what makes Ripley a compelling character is her charisma. Her self-assured but anti-establishment stance helps her come across as a cocky underdog who will take on all comers. She struck a nerve with audiences, especially among those who appreciated her counterculture aesthetic.
In-Ring Style
Her in-ring style is a hybrid of strength, agility, and technical skill. This is reflected in her finishing move, the Riptide — a very powerful-looking maneuver that highlights how tough and able to dominate other stars Ripley truly is. With Ripley’s ability to adapt well in the ring, she can perform any style of match making her dangerous against most styles.
Rivalries and Storylines
Rhea Ripley has had several high-profile feuds and storylines that have reinforced her standing in WWE throughout her career. That includes a well-known feud with Charlotte Flair, whose matches are usually most noteworthy on WWE programming. Other memorable feuds of hers are against Shayna Baszler, Asuka, and most recently being a part of The Judgment Day faction has added more complexity to her character.
The Impact of Rhea Ripley
The Young Wrestlers Have A Role Model
While Ripley was able to create a story for herself in WWE, it has elevated her as an inspiration for future wrestlers (especially young women entering the business). Her rise from the Australian independent scene to a WWE champion is an inspiring tale of fortitude.
Impact on the Women’s Division
Ripley has been a major parts of the WWE women’s division this year in its current state. Her presence also helped redefine women’s wrestling and is a pivotal element in the evolution of women’s division. Many of her matches are considered dream matchups and she’s regarded as one the carriers in women’s wrestling for WWE.
The Future of Rhea Ripley
Through 2024, Rhea Ripley maintains her status as one of WWE’s elite performers with no signs of stopping. She surely has a bright future with the company, including possible title wins and big storylines in her path. Ripley evolving her character and facing new challenges will likely guarantee she stands at the center of WWE for years to come.
Conclusion
For the 24-year-old this is a true rags-to-riches tale of an aspiring wrestler way down in Australia working her tail off to become one of WWE’s most traumatizing Superstars. Her personality and ring skills, as well as the mark she has had on women’s wrestling, have endeared her to legions of fans over time. And while she may not be done wreaking havoc on WWE yet. Rhea Ripley is only barely in the process of writing her legacy as a true trailblazer within women’s wrestling.
FAQs About Rhea Ripley
What Signature Moves Does Rhea Ripley Use?
Her finisher moves Rhea-Rae (pump handle slam), cloverleaf, and Dropkick. The last three are spinning power slams, emphasizing her power moves and technical ability in the ring.
How Rhea Ripley Got Her Start In WWE?
Rhea Ripley – Mae Young Classic 2017 to Now. It was her performance in the tournament that spurred WWE to make its interest known and, ultimately, led Shirai to NXT UK (followed by NXT).
Rhea Ripley And Her Role In The Judgment Day
In 2022, Rhea Ripley Signed to the WWE faction The Judgment Day. This has enhanced her character thanks to her current role in the group, Emperor Nakamura Haught after showing a more ruthless and dominant side.
Official on Fans Can Follow Rhea Ripley?
To follow Rhea Ripley, use her social media accounts which she always posts on IG and Twitter about the latest career speed and also to update life-posts, etc. All matches and appearances Candy Floss gets — in the WWE ring, on Raw or SmackDown TV shows, as well as pay-per-views.
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