Rhea Ripley, the renowned Australian professional wrestler from Adelaide, has seen her career take dramatic turns over the past year. In February 2024, she headlined a significant stadium event in her homeland, successfully defending the WWE Women’s World Championship in what was a crowning achievement. Riding on this success, she faced off against wrestling icon Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40, delivering a match that quickly became a classic.
However, her upward trajectory was soon interrupted by injury. Shortly after her stellar performance, Ripley suffered a severe shoulder injury that forced her to surrender the championship she had pursued since her teenage years. This period of inactivity was tough for the 28-year-old as she grappled with the frustration of being sidelined from the sport she loved.
Ripley persevered and made a comeback, only to encounter more injuries, one of which was a broken orbital bone. Despite these setbacks, she embraced the challenges, stating, “When you get injured, you learn a lot about yourself.” Her resilience shone through as she confided that overcoming these hurdles reinforced her belief in her strength.
After reclaiming her title, Ripley faced a shocking loss to Iyo Sky just before WrestleMania 41, leading her into a fierce rivalry involving Sky and fellow wrestler Bianca Belair. Their dynamic concluded in a remarkable match that Ripley described as one of the most significant experiences of her career, filled with emotional connections to her opponents.
Ripley’s fame continues to grow, transcending the wrestling sphere. With nearly 6 million followers on Instagram and over a million on Twitter, she sits among the most recognised WWE stars, drawing attention from casual fans and the general public alike. This surge in popularity coincided with her WWE content streaming on Netflix and viral trends on platforms like TikTok.
Looking ahead, Ripley will once again grace the wrestling stage at home as WWE plans a three-day event in Perth, featuring John Cena’s farewell performance in Australia. She anticipates the pressure of performing in front of a home crowd but welcomes it, expressing pride in representing Australia on this international platform.
Ripley concluded by affirming her passion for wrestling, stating that even amidst the nervousness of high-profile matches, she remains excited about the journey ahead. Her continued growth in the wrestling world seems limitless, with an ongoing commitment to her craft and an unwavering dedication to her Australian roots.