WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley recently reflected on how her collaboration with Dominik Mysterio marked a pivotal moment in her wrestling career. Joining the main roster in 2021, Ripley gained significant recognition in 2022 through her association with The Judgment Day and her on-screen romance with Mysterio. Although their pairing evolved into rivalry by 2024, Ripley credits Mysterio with playing a crucial role in her development as a performer.
In a recent interview on Insights with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley emphasized that being paired with Mysterio and being part of The Judgment Day heightened her performance levels. She described the demanding nature of their creative involvement, stating, “I was doing nine segments in a 16-segment show. Sometimes more… I had no time to think about absolutely anything. I just had to go.”
Ripley acknowledged that her experience with Mysterio transformed her character, allowing her to evolve from her previous roles in NXT UK and NXT. She noted that initial attempts to portray a heel character under Vince McMahon’s guidance didn’t align with her strengths as a face. However, linking up with Mysterio provided her the opportunity to explore and express a new dimension of her character. “Being partnered with Dom just helped my character transform into something different… I could actually blossom a little bit into something different. Instead of being the hard ass all the time, I was Mami,” she shared.
This growth and transformation underscores the importance of collaboration in wrestling, illustrating how partnerships can lead to professional and personal development within the industry. Fans of Ripley are likely to appreciate her journey and look forward to how she continues to evolve in the ring.