Ripley talks pressure, history, and the road back to gold

Summary

– Rhea Ripley opens up about the emotional build to her sixth WrestleMania

– She calls the match with Bianca Belair and IYO SKY a full-circle moment

– Ripley says Judgment Day is “dead” and hints at unique gear for the big night

Rhea Ripley is heading into WrestleMania 41 with history on her mind and redemption in her sights. Set to compete in a triple threat match against Bianca Belair and IYO SKY, Ripley spoke with Post Media’s No Holds Barred about the pressure, the past, and the path ahead.

Ripley reflected on her WrestleMania debut back at WrestleMania 36 during the pandemic—wrestling Charlotte Flair in front of no fans. “It was awkward,” she admitted. “No high-fives, no cheers—just silence. But it’s still my first WrestleMania, and no one can take that from me.”

Despite now entering her sixth WrestleMania, the nerves haven’t faded. “If you’re not nervous before WrestleMania, you don’t care—and if you don’t care, it’s time to quit,” she said. She even shared that before her match at WrestleMania 40 against Becky Lynch, she had a full-on panic attack backstage. “It’s terrifying but amazing to be part of.”

Her upcoming match holds deep personal meaning. Having shared the WWE journey with both Belair and SKY since their NXT days, Ripley said, “We grew up together in this business. Now we’re competing for the same title on the biggest stage.”

Originally hoping for a one-on-one bout with Belair to match their 2K24 cover pairing, Ripley said adding IYO makes it unpredictable and even more exciting.

When asked about Judgment Day, Ripley didn’t hold back. “Judgment Day died when Damian and I got turned on,” she said. “They’re not the Judgment Day anymore—I have no idea what they’re doing.”

She also teased her WrestleMania entrance gear, noting that fans can expect something “a little different,” including a modified version of her signature ring jacket. And, of course, she left fans with one clue: the Joker card.

Ripley also recently appeared on Stephanies Places with Stephanie McMahon, opening up about her personal struggles and what she’s overcome. “I’m complicated, but I’ve been through a lot and I’ve pushed through,” she said. “If I can help someone else do the same, that means everything.”