Rhea Ripley has established herself as one of the most popular WWE Superstars in the world – amassing over 17M views on her first TikTok post alone. But, how did she become such a viral sensation?
Ahead of the first WWE Premium Live Event of the year, Royal Rumble, let’s take a look back at Rhea’s journey as one WWE’s most iconic female Superstars of all time.
Who is Rhea Ripley?
Rhea Ripley was born on October 11, 1996, in Adelaide, South Australia. She began her professional in-ring career at a young age and made her debut in 2013 in her home country. Ripley quickly gained recognition for her athleticism and unique sense of style.
What is Rhea known for?
In the ring, Rhea is known for her confident demeanour, her fearlessness and her willingness to take on formidable opponents, by participating in high-stake matches. Rhea’s in-ring style showcases her strength and athleticism, through her ability to execute high-impact moves like ‘the Riptide’.
Outside of the ring, Rhea Ripley is known for her unique punk rock look and extreme physical ability. Although originally entering the world of WWE as a true Australian girl-next-door, Rhea’s gothic style evolution has paved the way for her character development into the Universe’s most loved female heel. Over on TikTok, Ripley shows off her skills both in the ring and the gym, and is a trailblazer for female strength building.
How did Rhea Ripley become famous?
Rhea Ripley is fast becoming one of the biggest WWE Superstars on the roster. From the moment she appeared at the Mae Young Classic in 2017, she has had success after success. Rhea Ripley joined the NXT UK brand in 2017, and later became the first-ever NXT UK Women’s Champion in August 2018.
Ripley later transitioned to NXT in the United States where she played a pivotal role in the women’s division and won the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Shayna Baszler at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in December 2019.
Rhea Ripley became involved in a high-profile feud with Charlotte Flair in 2020 leading to a match at WrestleMania 36 for the NXT Women’s Championship Title.
Rhea Ripley’s participation in the Royal Rumble has had a significant impact on her career, marking a pivotal moment in her journey in WWE. Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s biggest Premium Live Events, and debuting at such a high-profile event immediately launched her into the spotlight on a global scale.
Rhea is now a member of the The Judgment Day stable and currently holds the Women’s World Championship in her first reign. She will also be returning to her home country, Australia, for Elimination Chamber: Perth on February 24th, 2024 at Optus Stadium
When did Rhea Ripley win Royal Rumble?
Royal Rumble 2023 saw Ripley make history, becoming the first woman in at the number one spot to win the match AND setting a record for the longest time spent in a women’s Rumble match at 1:01:08.
Ripley’s ability to flex her sheer strength, showcase her in-ring skills and eliminate several opponents all at once, made her an instant focal point of the match. Royal Rumble served as a launch pad for her main roster career, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with, and leading to significant storylines, including a notable match at WrestleMania.
Where can I watch Royal Rumble 2024?
Royal Rumble 2024 is the 37th annual Royal Rumble and will emanate from St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27. Tune in on the WWE Network and TNT Sports Box Office!
