The Buddy Matthews and Rhea Ripley relationship in wrestling has attracted attention as industry voices question what the future might hold if the couple joins the same promotion. As Ripley’s popularity soars in WWE and Matthews continues his work in AEW, concerns about mixing professional and personal lives have sparked debate within the wrestling community.
Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews’ Wrestling Careers Run Parallel
Rhea Ripley, celebrated for her on-screen partnership with Dominik Mysterio as his “Mami,” has reached new heights of stardom within WWE in recent years. Her rise in the wrestling world was accompanied by her marriage to Buddy Matthews, formerly Buddy Murphy in WWE, in June last year. While Ripley shines on WWE’s roster, Matthews has carved his own path since moving to All Elite Wrestling in 2022 after his WWE release the previous year. Despite belonging to competing promotions, the couple has successfully maintained their relationship, even while working on separate brands that often keep them in different cities and schedules.
In a recent conversation with Chris Van Vliet, Matthews expressed his desire to share the stage with his wife one day, should the opportunity arise. This openness to collaboration reflects the mutual respect and support that has defined their partnership since it began.
Industry Concerns About Couples Working Together
Despite the couple’s apparent harmony, Vince Russo, a notable wrestling veteran, expressed strong reservations about partners joining the same wrestling company. Speaking on The Wrestling Outlaws hosted on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Russo offered a pointed warning regarding the potential pitfalls such unions might face.
“All I’m thinking of is Marc Mero and Sable. That’s all I’m thinking of, because without a question of a doubt, Rhea Ripley would be Sable and Buddy Matthews would be Marc Mero, without a shadow of a doubt,” Russo said. [From 2:57 onwards] —Vince Russo, Wrestling Veteran
Russo referenced the dynamic between Marc Mero and Sable, a husband-and-wife team whose on-screen and off-screen connections famously ended in separation, using their story as a cautionary tale for Ripley and Matthews. He emphasized that history shows potential hazards for couples working together within the same wrestling promotion.
“Tell me if I’m wrong, I think it is, from what I’ve experienced and what I’ve seen, I think it is 1000% healthier for the relationship if they’re working for different companies rather than working together. You know, DDP and Kimberly, Gangrel and Luna, Chris Candido and Sunny. I went through this a million times. My feeling is the relationship would be a lot better if they worked for different companies,” Russo said. [From 3:18 onwards] —Vince Russo, Wrestling Veteran
He drew upon the histories of other couples in wrestling, such as DDP and Kimberly, Gangrel and Luna, and Chris Candido and Sunny, to underscore his point that relationships can become strained when entangled with shared professional pressures and rivalries.
Recent Wrestling Couples Highlight the Risks
While Russo’s examples date back several years, drama continues with modern wrestling relationships. John Cena’s high-profile proposal to Nikki Bella in the ring ended before marriage, and Charlotte Flair and Andrade have also parted ways after a public relationship that drew attention both inside and outside the ring. These cases add context to Russo’s argument, highlighting how difficult it can be to balance romance and wrestling careers, especially in an industry known for its intense schedules and demanding storylines.
Looking Ahead for Ripley and Matthews
The question of whether the Buddy Matthews and Rhea Ripley relationship in wrestling can withstand the unique challenges of working together remains unresolved. Supporters and skeptics alike watch closely as both stars continue to thrive in their respective companies. The possibility of them sharing a workplace may heighten their success but also introduce new risks, according to veterans like Vince Russo. Only time will reveal the path this notable wrestling couple takes and whether their story will mirror those of the past.
