One of the biggest stars of the modern era, Rhea Ripley has already racked up an impressive list of WWE accolades despite being under 30 years of age.
- Date of birth: 11 October 1996
- Date of WWE debut: 13 July 2017 in the Mae Young Classic
- Finishing move: Riptide
- Signature moves: Razor’s Edge, Snakebite
Born Demi Bennett in Adelaide, Australia, Ripley competed in her first match in 2013 for Riot City Wrestling. Capturing the RCW Women’s Championship twice, Ripley also competed for Melbourne City Wrestling before signing with WWE in 2017.
One of the contestants in the Mae Young Classic and a stark contrast to her current look, Ripley was eliminated from the tournament in the second round after losing to Dakota Kai. Making her debut on NXT later that year, Ripley entered the Mae Young Classic Tournament for a second time the following year with a new look and new attitude that fans are much more familiar with. Much more successful than the previous year, Ripley made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated by Io Sharai.
Shortly after the tournament, Ripley competed in NXT UK and became the inaugural Women’s Champion for the brand after defeating Toni Storm in the final. After losing the title to Storm, Ripley joined the NXT roster in the United States and set her sights on Shayna Baszler. After pinning Baszler in WarGames, Ripley capped off 2019 by defeating Baszler and becoming the new NXT Women’s Champion.
After losing the NXT Women’s Championship to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36, which took place in front of no fans, Ripley remained on NXT for the rest of the year before being called up to Raw in early 2021. Shortly afterwards, Ripley defeated Asuka at WrestleMania 37 to win the Raw Women’s Championship, her first main roster title.
Once again dropping the title to Flair, Ripley teamed with Liv Morgan and unsuccessfully challenged for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 38. Shortly afterwards, Ripley turned heel when she joined Edge and Damian Priest in The Judgment Day. Shortly after kicking Edge out of the group alongside Finn Balor, the trio recruited Dominik Mysterio after Ripley targeted Mysterio, calling herself Mami in the process.
After winning the Royal Rumble from the number one spot, Ripley revisited her rivalry with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39 by challenging The Queen for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, which saw Ripley emerge the victor. Holding the title for over a year, including a defence in her home country of Australia, Rhea Ripley was forced to vacate the title due to injury shortly after WrestleMania 40.
During her time away, Mysterio was targeted by Liv Morgan, who captured the Women’s World Championship in Ripley’s absence. Following Ripley’s return, the two feuded for the remainder of the year until Ripley defeated Morgan on the Raw on Netflix premiere to win back the championship she never lost.
After losing the title to IYO SKY, Ripley did everything possible to be added to the WrestleMania match between SKY and Bianca Belair, which was eventually granted by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce. Ripley and Belair were unable to defeat SKY at Mania 41.
Rhea Ripley WWE Championship Record
- WWE Women’s World Championship – 2 reigns
- WWE Raw Women’s Championship – 1 reign
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – 1 reign
- NXT Women’s Championship – 1 reign
- NXT UK Women’s Champion – 1 reign
- Royal Rumble winner – 2023
Featured image: WWE