Sat Jun 28 17:40:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Rhea Ripley Reveals Doubts and Surprise at Wrestling Success in New Interview**
ORLANDO, FL – Rhea Ripley, one of WWE’s biggest stars and a former Women’s World Champion, has revealed she initially never believed she would achieve such heights in professional wrestling. In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet on his Insight podcast, the Australian-born wrestler shared her initial skepticism, recalling a discouraging word from her Riot City Wrestling coach.
“He asked everyone in the tryout, and everyone said, ‘I want to make it to WWE.’ He straight up got sick of that answer. He’s like, ‘I don’t want to break your heart or ruin your dreams, but that’s probably not going to happen. We’re in Australia. We’re very, very far away.'” Ripley said.
Despite this, Ripley pursued wrestling for the love of the sport and the challenge of succeeding in a male-dominated field. “I just love wrestling. I find it fun, I find it entertaining. I like going out there and entertaining a crowd and showing people that they can do whatever they want to do.”
Ripley admitted that even after being signed by WWE and moving to America to compete in NXT, she was surprised by her rapid rise to fame. “I never thought that the name Rhea Ripley would be as big as it is now, and it’s just wild to see, especially the last couple years how much I’ve blown up.”
Ripley humorously confessed to sometimes forgetting her own celebrity. “I’m walking around and I’m like why are these people looking at me? … And then I’m like oh sh*t. They probably know who I am. I just get mad sometimes. I just forget that I’m Rhea Ripley sometimes.”
Rhea Ripley continues to be a dominant force in WWE, inspiring fans worldwide with her talent and determination. Her candid interview provides a glimpse into the mindset of a superstar who defied expectations and achieved unexpected success.
First Piper 