Rhea Ripley and her husband Buddy Matthews‘ WWE date night was unexpectedly interrupted by WWE’s Cathy Kelley during a casual stroll. The incident highlighted the playful dynamic between Ripley, Matthews, and Kelley, all of whom are connected through the wrestling world.
Ripley, a WWE wrestler, and Matthews, an AEW star since leaving WWE, have been a couple since 2022 and married as of June 2024. Although they now represent different promotions, they frequently support each other publicly, sharing moments from their lives such as workouts and celebrations. Their relationship has drawn attention given their shared wrestling backgrounds and public displays of affection.
Recently, Ripley posted an Instagram reel showcasing the couple walking closely, engaged in a quiet, intimate conversation. The moment was humorously interrupted when Cathy Kelley, known for her backstage role on SmackDown, suddenly grabbed Ripley’s arm with excitement. Kelley’s unexpected appearance added an awkward yet amusing energy to the scene, with Buddy Matthews caught off guard. The reel was captioned, “did someone say date night??!” reflecting the lighthearted nature of the surprise.
Cathy Kelley’s Playful Role in Ripley and Matthews’ Relationship
Cathy Kelley’s interruption fits into a long-standing, playful relationship with Rhea Ripley. Over time, Ripley and Kelley have developed a friendly rapport both on WWE programming and social media. Their interactions often include tongue-in-cheek comments and mutual admiration, with Kelley previously referring to Ripley as her “WWE crush.” Ripley has responded in kind, creating an ongoing inside joke that fans eagerly follow.
This banter has become a well-liked aspect of their public personas, adding a humorous layer to Ripley’s character beyond her typical “Eradicator” wrestling persona. Fans often see Kelley’s involvement as that of a mischievous third wheel, which places Buddy Matthews in an unintentionally awkward position during these moments.
These amusing exchanges reveal a more personal and playful side of Ripley, contrasting with her intense wrestling image. Kelley, meanwhile, embraces her role as both a supportive figure and a lighthearted presence backstage, contributing to the entertainment value of WWE’s behind-the-scenes atmosphere.
