Rhea Ripley capped off her ascension to the top of the WWE women’s division on Sunday, winning the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37.
In doing so, she became the first Australian to be hand-picked as the face of the multi-billion-dollar company in its forty-one year history.
Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday, the 24-year-old revealed how the much-maligned art of pro wrestling – part sports, part theatre – gave her a new lease on life.
From ‘sweet little girl from Adelaide’ to hardcore ‘Nightmare’: Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday, Rhea Ripley how the much-maligned art of pro wrestling gave her a new lease on life
Rhea (real name Demi Bennett) explained how her life changed during a family holiday when she was in her early teens.
‘I was a very sporty kid. I loved WWE from the first moment I laid eyes on it. Then we went on a family holiday to Queensland and found out wrestling exists in Australia!’
She spent the next two years studying the craft before being signed to local Adelaide promotion Riot City Wrestling.
Rhea soon became known for her taxing hardcore-style matches – and while the results are pre-determined, there’s nothing fake about being slammed onto a pile of thumb tacks or thrown off a ladder into a table.
On Sunday, Rhea (real name Demi Bennett) became the first ever Australian to win a WWE main-division championship, becoming the face of the multibillion-dollar company’s women’s division in the process
‘I loved WWE from the first moment I laid eyes on it’: Rhea (L) explained to Sunrise hosts Kylie Gillies and David Koch how she discovered that pro-wrestling exists in Australia during a family holiday and never looked back
In order to ensure blood during matches, Rhea would use a pro-wrestling technique called ‘blading,’ which involves using a hidden razor to discretely slice open your forehead in order to induce bleeding following a staged knock to the head.
Sunrise host Kylie Gillies was surprised when unrecognisable pictures of the wrestler during her teen years ran during the interview.
Kylie was surprised when unrecognisable pictures of Rhea as a ‘pretty little blonde girl’ ran during the interview: ‘And now your wrestling nickname is The Nightmare?’ she asked
‘Rhea, we’re just looking at these childhood pictures of you as a sweet little blonde girl – and now your wrestling nickname is The Nightmare? How much work does it take to be as fit and powerful as you are?’ she asked.
‘I pretty much live in the gym. I’m in there daily doing three hours of cardio and weights. I don’t really have a rest day.
‘I really dedicate myself to the gym because that’s my happy place. That’s where I go to de-stress and have fun.’
No rest days: The 24-year-old explained she practically ‘lives in the gym’: ‘I’m in there daily doing three hours of cardio and weights. I don’t really have a rest day’
Stuff of Nightmares: The ‘pretty little blonde’ underwent a body transformation and is now known for her hardcore-style matches – and while the results are pre-determined, there’s nothing fake about being slammed onto a pile of thumb tacks or thrown into a table
While many may discount Rhea’s achievements in a ‘fake’ sport, the fact the results are pre-determined means the company who created film megastars such as The Rock and John Cena have hand-picked her to be their next big thing.
She was scheduled to defeat Asuka to claim the Raw Women’s Championship in front of 25,000 fans at WrestleMania 37 at Florida’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
Rhea was the youngest person on the card and the victory caps off an incredible turnaround in her career after a difficult twelve months.
It’s a Riot! It took just a few years of work at local Adelaide promotion Riot City Wrestling before the WWE took notice and signed her to a developmental contract in 2017
Rhea looked down and out in a brutal back-and-forth match, before ducking a kick from Asuka and hitting with her finisher the Riptide to secure the pinfall victory.
Overcome by emotion, she burst into tears in front of the 25,000 strong crowd as she held up the title.
Other Australians have won lesser titles in the WWE, including Buddy Murphy with the Cruiseweight title and Peyton Royce and Billie Kay Women’s Tag Team titles – but this is the first time an Aussie has won the company’s top belt.
It was an incredible moment for Rhea, who until weeks ago wasn’t even scheduled to compete.
Next big thing: While many may discount Rhea’s achievements in a ‘fake’ sport, the fact the results are pre-determined means the company who created film megastars such as The Rock and John Cena have hand-picked her to be their next big thing
Next big thing: She was scheduled to defeat Asuka to claim the Raw Women’s Championship in front of 25,000 fans at WrestleMania 37 at Florida’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday
‘I didn’t expect to be on WrestleMania this year. Before this, I was just sitting in catering for a good two months. Just watching the shows, biding my time,’ Rhea told media before the event last week.
‘It’s just wild to think that I’m making this sort of impact. Because I don’t really think of myself as anything special but people are pointing out to me.’
‘I didn’t expect to be on WrestleMania this year. Before this, I was just sitting in catering for a good two months. Just watching the shows, biding my time,’ Rhea told media last week
‘To be a part of WrestleMania is really a dream come true. It’s the one thing every wrestling fan watches in awe,’ she said. ‘It’s just wild to think that I’m making this sort of impact. Because I don’t really think of myself as anything special but people are pointing out to me’