It was a journey filled with highs and lows, but after years of hard work and dedication, Rhea Ripley has finally achieved the pinnacle of success in WWE. Her recent win at WrestleMania 39 against Charlotte Flair in the main event of Night 1 has only solidified her status as one of the most popular women on the roster, as well as a role model for young girls.
Ripley’s NXT Days and Delayed Rise
Ripley’s journey began in NXT, where she quickly rose to fame thanks to her dominant performances in the ring. She was expected to be a top WWE star after her match with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36, but lost and her rise was delayed. However, Ripley didn’t let this defeat hold her back.
Joining Judgment Day Faction and Winning Royal Rumble
Instead, she improved even more and became aligned with the Judgment Day faction, becoming one of the most popular women on the roster despite playing a heel character. She won the Royal Rumble this year and challenged Flair again for the SmackDown women’s title at WrestleMania, winning in the main event of Night 1.
Confidence In Her Character
Ripley is confident in herself and her character, and enjoys interacting with fans at house shows, scaring them and having fun. Despite playing a villain, Ripley is a role model for young girls, encouraging them to be themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin.
Chemistry with Dominik Mysterio
Ripley has developed a chemistry with Dominik Mysterio and often whispers in his ear during Raw, making him crack a smile and intriguing fans. She has a strong buzz when she enters the arena, and feels that her hard work has paid off in getting the fans to react the way she wants them to. If Ripley were to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, she would want Dominik Mysterio to induct her.
Reign As SmackDown Women’s Champion
Ripley is now in the midst of an undefeated streak dating back to May 2022 and the possibilities are endless for what should be a historic reign as SmackDown women’s champion. A potential future matchup with Bianca Belair, who is set to defend her title against Asuka in Night 2 of WrestleMania 39, could result in a Title vs. Title match fans would love to see.
WrestleMania 39 Main Event Options
While Ripley’s win over Charlotte Flair was a momentous one for both her and fans alike, there were other options for the coveted main event spot at WrestleMania 39. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens’ reunion and subsequent chase of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships made them a strong option to main event Night 1. However, Charlotte and Rhea did not main event and were a weaker option compared to more potent storylines during a piping hot period for the company.
Navigating Media Opportunities as Professional Wrestlers
As wrestlers continue to rise in popularity, the challenges of navigating media opportunities become increasingly apparent. They are required to answer questions in character for some publications and in person for others, making it difficult to balance between answering questions as the performer and as the person behind the stage name.
Media training is important for wrestlers, but some have limited access to it. Social media can also be a toxic place for wrestlers, with negativity often outweighing positive feedback. Despite these challenges, wrestlers aim to give fans a great show and make them happy.
In conclusion, Rhea Ripley’s journey in WWE has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with high highs and low lows. But her recent triumph at WrestleMania 39 has cemented her status as one of the most beloved women on the roster, as well as a role model for young girls. As she continues her reign as SmackDown women’s champion, fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for this rising superstar in WWE.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
