Rhea Ripley recently bid farewell to the WWE Women’s World Championship in her final appearance before taking a hiatus. The Judgment Day member, absent for 50 days, is preparing for a significant comeback, with reports hinting at her return coinciding with SummerSlam in early August. Ripley’s break was prompted by a shoulder injury sustained during a clash with Liv Morgan, the current title holder. However, her return to gym training signifies her readiness to step back into the ring soon.
In a surprising revelation, it came to light that Ripley and her partner Buddy Matthews share a long-standing friendship with Eli Theseus and Gabriel Aeros from their days in the Australian independent wrestling scene. Theseus and Aeros, known as The Parea, have been a strong support system for Ripley throughout her WWE journey. These connections were highlighted when Theseus shared a photo of their group at a wrestling gym co-owned by AEW’s Malakai Black and WWE’s Zelina Vega, emphasizing the importance of aligning with greatness in the pursuit of success.
Rhea Ripley (Via WWE/Twitter)
The relationship between Matthews and Ripley, dating back to at least 2022, culminated in an engagement in August of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Judgment Day faction, led by Ripley, has faced challenges due to her absence, leading to shifts within the group dynamics. With Damian Priest holding the World Heavyweight Championship and facing conflicts with Finn Balor, wrestling veteran Jim Cornette advocates for Priest to maintain his heel persona and be promoted as a prominent solo competitor. Cornette’s stance underscores the potential impact of character development on a wrestler’s journey from villain to hero and vice versa.
As the wrestling world eagerly anticipates Ripley’s return and Priest’s upcoming title defense against Drew McIntyre, questions loom over Balor’s future bookings. The evolving narratives within the WWE terrain, coupled with the personal and professional connections among its stars, set the stage for intriguing developments leading up to key events like Clash at the Castle: Scotland and beyond.
