During a recent appearance on Cody Rhodes‘ podcast, Damian Priest shared candid insights into How Rhea Ripley inspired WWE stars through perseverance, reflecting on the impact her relentless spirit had on the entire locker room. The discussion revealed how Ripley’s challenging journey from her home country to the United States became a source of motivation for many, including Priest himself, as WWE continues to showcase intense competition and dramatic storylines.
Rhea Ripley’s Sacrifice Becomes a Source of Inspiration
Rhea Ripley, a former WWE Women’s World Champion, has consistently stood out as a dominant force in the wrestling scene. Damian Priest, her former stablemate from The Judgment Day, spoke with Cody Rhodes about Ripley’s courage to leave her family and move halfway across the globe in pursuit of her ambitions. Priest openly admitted that comprehending the difficulty of such a decision was challenging for him, emphasizing the depth of Ripley’s commitment to becoming a marquee performer for WWE.
“Talking about Rhea [Ripley] and her inspiring, so that idea that her moving across the world and dealing with that internal, like, missing her family, like, nobody can identify with it. I can’t even compare to that. No matter how hard I work and how much I push my family aside, they’re still here. So to me, what she did to achieve her dream, like that’s, man, that’s why she’s in the position she’s in,”
he said. —Damian Priest, WWE Superstar
Priest further explained how Ripley’s willingness to undergo personal hardship resonated deeply with him. By highlighting her sacrifices, he acknowledged that Ripley’s journey made his own struggles seem minor, reminding him of the importance of perseverance.
“Because who’s willing to do so? I don’t know if I would have, but now she inspired me to, like, you know what? No matter what I think I can or cannot do, I’m gonna try to do it anyway. Because if she did all that, everything else seems so minuscule, so simple compared to what she had to do to change.”
—Damian Priest, WWE Superstar
Ripley’s Recent Setbacks in the WWE Arena
Despite her reputation as one of WWE’s most dominant performers, Rhea Ripley has encountered a series of recent challenges in the ring. On March 3, she lost the WWE Women’s World Championship to IYO SKY, marking a significant turning point in her career. Since then, Ripley made three unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the prestigious title, with her latest try coming during a high-profile triple threat bout at WrestleMania 41 against Bianca Belair and IYO SKY. The intensity of the match underscored the competitive atmosphere in WWE’s women’s division, with each star showcasing impressive skills under immense pressure.
Ripley continued her championship quest by earning a spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. However, Naomi ultimately emerged victorious, capturing the opportunity for a future title challenge. Most recently, Ripley participated in a fatal four-way Queen of the Ring Round 1 match on Monday Night RAW, facing off against Liv Morgan, Kairi Sane, and Roxanne Perez. During the thrilling contest, Ripley appeared close to victory after delivering a Riptide to Morgan. Yet, Raquel Rodriguez intervened by pulling Ripley out of the ring, and Roxanne Perez seized the moment to pin Kairi Sane, advancing to the next stage of the competition.
What Lies Ahead for Rhea Ripley and WWE’s Women’s Division
As Rhea Ripley grapples with a string of setbacks, her future path in WWE remains filled with questions and anticipation. Her recent performances highlight the unpredictable nature of high-stakes wrestling, where even the most seasoned champions face formidable obstacles on their way to glory. Yet, Damion Priest’s reflections on Ripley’s perseverance suggest that, regardless of immediate results, her legacy of determination continues to uplift and embolden fellow stars across the WWE roster. More developments are expected as events unfold in the coming weeks, with fans eager to see how Ripley responds to these professional challenges and whether her inspiring journey will lead to new triumphs in the squared circle.
