In a revelation that has left the WWE Universe doing a double-take, “The Eradicator” herself, Rhea Ripley, recently admitted that her intimidating exterior masks a relatable human struggle. Despite her status as one of the most dominant forces in professional wrestling, Ripley confessed that her internal pre-show experience hasn’t changed much since her debut nearly a decade ago.
Speaking in an interview on ESPN SportsCenter, Ripley explained how earlier, she used to have much more prep time before matches, which allowed her to hype herself up and become comfortable. However, now her schedules are much tighter, but she is still able to get into her on-screen character with a snap of a finger.
I feel like when I first started, I made time for myself before matches. I would listen to music, I would get in the zone. I would have to pump myself up because I would be so nervous. Now, I still get nervous, probably to the same extent to be completely honest, but I don’t really have time to rev up. I’m normally running around like a chicken without a head here in WWE.
“So by the time that my music hits, it’s kinda just like, [snaps fingers], ‘I’m Rhea Ripley, it’s time to kill, it’s time to go out there and bring the brutality and win the match.’” [H/T: Fightful]
Ripley is also set to appear at Elimination Chamber later this month, where she will face off against 5 other stars.
Rhea Ripley first stepped into the Stamford-based promotion in 2017. Since those early days, her trajectory has been nothing short of legendary. From her beginnings in the inaugural Mae Young Classic to becoming a cornerstone of the women’s division, she has collected an impressive array of championship gold.
Currently, she is dominating the scene as one half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions alongside the “Genius of the Sky,” IYO SKY. While their partnership is defined by a fascinating contrast in styles and personalities, they have become a fan-favorite duo. However, behind the swagger and the “Brutality,” Ripley is still battling the same “stage fright” she felt as a rookie.
During a recent sit-down interview on ESPN SportsCenter, Ripley provided some fascinating insight into how her preparation has evolved alongside her rising fame. In the early stages of her career, she relied on specific rituals to find her footing:
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Then: She would carve out dedicated personal time before a match, using music and isolated focus to “rev up” her adrenaline and drown out the anxiety.
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Now: The luxury of time has vanished. Between media appearances, signings, and the chaotic backstage environment, she describes herself as “running around like a chicken without a head.”
“I still get nervous, probably to the same extent to be completely honest,” Ripley shared. “But I don’t really have time to rev up… by the time that my music hits, it’s kinda just like [snaps fingers], ‘I’m Rhea Ripley, it’s time to kill.’”
The most impressive takeaway from Ripley’s admission is her ability to toggle her persona on and off instantly. While the nerves remain as high as ever, she has mastered the art of the “instant switch.” The moment her heavy metal theme music echoes through the arena, the anxiety is replaced by the ruthless, brutal competitor fans have come to fear and admire.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see this mental toughness in action. Ripley is currently gearing up for a high-stakes showdown at Elimination Chamber later this month. She will be forced to step inside the unforgiving steel structure against five other elite competitors, proving once again that while the nerves may be real, the brutality is even more so.
