Latest news with #WWEWomen'sWorldChampionship
Pink Villa
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Rhea Ripley reveals why she hated husband Buddy Matthews at first: ‘Sir, how dare you?'
Rhea Ripley surprised fans when she recently confessed that she once couldn't stand her now-husband, AEW star Buddy Matthews. In a playful social-media post, Ripley shared a reel showing partners who drift apart—then quipped that her own relationship went the opposite way. The WWE Women's World Championship contender admitted that she despised him in the beginning, all because Matthews had laid out popular NXT wrestler Sway with a forearm to the face. Today, the duo is happily married and proving that first impressions can be overturned. From heel heat to husband Ripley told Insight host Chris Van Vliet that her initial dislike stemmed from seeing Matthews punch Sway during their Australian independent-circuit days. 'I used to hate him,' she laughed, recalling her outrage at the move. Despite praising his in-ring skill, saying that 'he moves so incredibly well for the size that he is,' Ripley admitted she 'hated him with a passion' when he debuted as a heel. She tells Vliet: 'Because I loved Sway, which was a female wrestler… and he just punched Sway straight in the face. I was like, sir, how dare you?' A love story in reverse Their romance began in 2022, and quickly blossomed into an engagement in August 2023. The wrestler duo ultimately tied the knot with a private wedding last June. Ripley recently celebrated the milestone with a cheeky Instagram story, writing 'Reverse the role @snm_buddy' alongside a video of partners growing apart, pointing out how the contrary happened with them. During the interview, she also told Vliet that over time, her relationship with Matthews got better, until eventually, he became 'someone special' to her: 'Matt is the best husband I could ever ask for. He does absolutely everything for me.' Today, Ripley competes for WWE's top women's prize at Evolution 2, while Matthews recovers from injury in AEW.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Rhea Ripley Reveals New Injury Nearly Led to Missing WWE WrestleMania
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Top WWE star Rhea Ripley has revealed she is dealing with a persistent lower back injury. The issue almost caused her to miss her championship match at WrestleMania 41. Rhea Ripley was part of a three-way match for the WWE Women's World Championship on Night Two of the event. She faced champion IYO SKY and Bianca Belair in a match that many fans considered a highlight of the weekend. Rhea Ripley Details Her Back Injury In a new appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley opened up about the lower back issue. She believes the injury started during a match in NXT. "Normally, my lower back, especially lately, I don't know what's been going on," Ripley said. "I think it actually started from the match I had with Raquel in NXT, where she gave me the back body drop onto the announce table, but we undershot it and I hit the very edge of the table, like right on my lower back." She stated that her back has never been the same since that moment. She relies on her masseuse to keep her ready for the ring. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Rhea Ripley is introduced before the Women's World Championship title match against Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Rhea Ripley is introduced before the Women's World Championship title match against Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More"Sometimes it gets really bad," she explained. "I didn't think that I would be able to wrestle at WrestleMania 41." More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Rhea Ripley's WrestleMania 41 Scare Ripley detailed how bad the pain was in the days leading up to the big event. She required intensive work from her masseuse just to be able to compete. "WrestleMania 41, I didn't think I was going to be able to compete because my back was so bad leading up to it," Ripley said. "The two nights beforehand, I got [my masseuse] Matthew to come to my room... I was like, I need you to make sure I can walk tomorrow." She noted that the treatment worked just in time for the match. However, the pain is a constant issue that she manages. "It gets really bad," she stated. "I don't know if it's a sciatic thing or whatnot... But it does go down, and it definitely revs up sometimes, and sometimes it's just bearable." Ripley is set to compete at this Saturday's WWE Night of Champions event. She will face Raquel Rodriguez in a Street Fight. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Becky Lynch WWE Return Stalled For Major Reason
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Becky Lynch made a triumphant and impactful return to WWE programming at WrestleMania 41 in April 2025, ending a year-long absence that left a significant void in the women's division. "The Man" recently shared in a candid conversation with that her much-anticipated comeback was initially slated to happen several months earlier. Still, unforeseen circumstances, including a health issue, altered those plans. Lynch explained that her hiatus, which commenced after a WWE Women's World Championship loss to Liv Morgan on Raw in May 2024, was initially intended to be much shorter. Her contract was up at the time, providing a natural window for some time off and to pursue other interests. "I took what I thought was going to be three months off during the summer, when my contract came up," Lynch recalled of her initial mindset. She added, "'Okay, seems like a good time to take a little break, get some stuff done.'" However, this planned three-month sabbatical extended considerably due to exciting opportunities outside the wrestling ring. "Then other things came up," Lynch detailed, citing her acting ventures. "I was filming 'Star Trek' and then 'Happy Gilmore' [related project]." As those filming commitments concluded, discussions within WWE turned towards orchestrating her return to the squared circle. A comeback around the time of the Royal Rumble in January 2025 was seriously considered. An emotional Becky Lynch announces she's expecting her first child on 'Monday Night RAW.' An emotional Becky Lynch announces she's expecting her first child on 'Monday Night RAW.' WWE "There was talk [of a return] around Rumble time," Lynch disclosed to This would have placed her back in WWE action several months before she eventually reappeared. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation An unexpected personal health issue arose just as these plans were solidifying. "But then at the last minute, I got a skin condition," Lynch revealed, explaining the sudden medical problem that forced a postponement of her return. This unforeseen skin condition became the primary reason the Royal Rumble comeback did not materialize. It necessitated a shift in strategy for her re-entry into WWE storylines. With the January event no longer an option, the focus naturally turned to the next grand spectacle on the WWE calendar. WrestleMania 41 in April then became the new target for "The Man's" return. Lynch herself saw the revised timing as opportune, especially with how it could play into a compelling narrative. "The next big event was WrestleMania, so it seemed to make sense," she explained of the new plan. She also cheekily referenced the storyline that facilitated her specific WrestleMania match. "...especially if I could take Bayley out of the mix and ruin her dreams. It felt doubly brilliant," Lynch added, alluding to the angle where she replaced an "attacked" Bayley. Lynch returned at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Lyra Valkyria to defeat Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. This victory was short-lived, as they lost the titles back to Morgan and Rodriguez on Raw after WrestleMania. That title loss immediately triggered Lynch's shocking heel turn on Valkyria. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: How Aussie WWE superstar Rhea Ripley could have played for the Matildas
Aussie WWE star Rhea Ripley is enjoying some of the best years of her professional career. But things could have been very different for the 28-year-old Adelaide native. The super-strong Aussie has become one of the biggest and most recognisable names on the planet but has endured a topsy-turvey 12 months. After headlining the WWE Women's World Championship in Perth on February 24, 2024, Ripley bested Nia Jax to retain her WWE Women's World Title. Despite the high of winning such a huge match, Ripley suffered a brutal shoulder injury that forced her out of action for several months. It was an agonising period for the 28-year-old Adelaide native, who had been working to reach the pinnacle of world wrestling since she was a teenager. 'When you get injured, you learn a lot about yourself, and 2024 was not very kind to me,' she told Channel 9's Wide World of Sports. Ripley grew up in Glenelg in South Australia, and attended the Henley High School. It was in 2013 when she began working for Australian wrestling promotion, Riot City Wrestling, finding her way in the sport, before going on to be crowned a two-time RCW Women's Champion. Ripley, a determined and skilful athlete, also turned her hand to several other sports, including swimming, rugby, netball and soccer. A known Adelaide FC fan, and had played football for the semi-pro football club Fulham United, who are based in West Beach. And while the WWE superstar could perhaps have gone down the path of playing pro football, the wrestler has showcased her skills in the past. While featuring in a video on Juventus' Instagram account, Ripley showcased her impressive skills, performing several keepy-uppies while also holding up a Juventus home jersey. She did all this while wearing a pair of high-heeled boots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FANPAGE - Rhea Ripley 🖤💜 (Erica) (@rhearipleyfans) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juventus (@juventus) Ripley (right) said she was inspired to get into wrestling after watching a match between Triple H and Ric Flair But after watching the likes of Triple H and Ric Flair step into the ring to do battle, Ripley instead opted for a life in WWE. 'My friends showed me a clip of Triple H versus Ric Flair, and Triple H shoved the screwdriver in Ric Flair's head. Yeah, that got me into wrestling,' she told Sportskeeda. Ripley, whose real name is Demi Bennett and married fellow WWE star Buddy Matthews last year, signed with WWE in 2017 before going on to compete in the inaugural Mae Young Classic. She'd go on to be crowned the NXT Women's Champion, the Raw Women's Champion, before going on to star as the Women's World Champion. Reflecting on her 2024, Ripley admitted she had to battle with her mind to challenge for the World Championship again but had suffered another brutal injury in the process. 'It definitely was a mental struggle and also a physical struggle - training legs every single day was terrible, but I finally came back and I got to go for my world championship again and try and grab that back - but then I broke my orbital bone (eye socket),' she said. 'It was just injuries flying left and right, but I learned a lot about myself in that I can pretty much overcome whatever is in my way, and that's such a strong thing to realise.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE's Rhea Ripley Explains the Challenges of Being Married to Wrestler in Rival Company: ‘It's Hard'
It's been a year of growth, learning and major change for WWE star Rhea Ripley — both inside and outside of the ring. Ripley, 28, who will challenge for the WWE Women's World Championship against champion Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair on Night 2 of WrestleMania 41 on Sunday, April 20, got married to pro wrestler Buddy Matthews in June 2024. Advertisement Matthews, 36, previously wrestled in WWE, but is now part of the roster in All Elite Wrestling. Given their chaotic — and often conflicting — travel schedules, Ripley admitted the first year of marriage hasn't always been a walk in the park. 'Not being around each other 24/7 has been hard — it really is hard,' Ripley exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with C4 Energy. 'I miss being home, I miss the dogs, I miss everything.' Rory Culkin Makes Rare Public Appearance With Brother Macaulay at 'WWE Raw' on Netflix However, Ripley noted, 'He always said to me that distance makes the heart grow fonder.' Advertisement 'When we are together, we're just such similar people,' Ripley continued. 'Like, we're literally the same person. Anything that I hate in him is something that I would probably be doing, too. I can give him that leniency because I'm just like, 'OK, I'm annoying, too.'' When Ripley and Matthews do find themselves at home at the same time, she explained that wrestling is often the last thing on their minds. 'Normally, we don't talk about work,' she said. 'When I come home from being on the road, I'll tell him how everything went. I'll vent if I need to vent. It's the same when he comes back, as well. But that's about it. Other than that, we don't really talk about work because we like doing so many other things. He's literally my best friend and everything that we do is so much fun.' Ripley added, 'We have fun going to the gym together. That's one thing we do every single day. Even if we don't work out together, we're still sending each other messages or walking past and talking to each other.' Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images Ripley will kick off a long WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas with a meet-and-greet at WSKY Bar + Grill on Thursday, April 17, from 5-7 pm local time. Advertisement Nikki Bella Wants to Fight 'Traitors' Costar Robyn Dixon Inside a WWE Ring The superstar gushed about the opportunities she gets to interact with her fans, who sometimes wait 'for literal hours' to see her. 'I love being able to meet them and hear some of their stories,' Ripley said. 'I don't like when it's super rushed. I actually want to hear what they have to say. Sometimes it's so meaningful and sometimes they really do need that extra minute or two minutes just to let out some tears or give a little thank you or give me a gift, or whatever it is.' Ripley added, 'It's a really special moment for me.' Nights 1 and 2 of WrestleMania 41 stream live Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, respectively, at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.
