Jim Cornette has strongly criticized a recent WWE segment featuring Rhea Ripley, calling it one of the worst he has seen. The segment aired on this week’s RAW, where Ripley, known as The Eradicator, addressed an attack by The Kabuki Warriors, escalating tensions between the WWE performers. The growing feud and Cornette’s sharp Rhea Ripley WWE criticism have sparked widespread discussion among wrestling fans.
Details of the Controversial WWE RAW Segment
During the episode, Rhea Ripley confronted The Kabuki Warriors—Asuka and Kairi Sane—after they targeted IYO SKY, another wrestler involved in the storyline. Ripley warned Asuka and Sane that their aggression had crossed a line. IYO SKY then joined Ripley in the ring and appeared to sympathize with her remarks. However, the situation quickly escalated when The Kabuki Warriors appeared on the titantron, stating that SKY could still be family but that Ripley had no place among them.
The segment took a dramatic turn as The Kabuki Warriors suddenly attacked Ripley. Even when SKY tried to defend Ripley, she was caught off guard and subjected to Asuka’s poison mist attack. The confrontation ended with Asuka and Kairi Sane standing dominant in the ring, leaving Ripley and her allies at a disadvantage. This sequence set the stage for future developments but received harsh criticism from Cornette.
Jim Cornette’s Harsh Critique of the Segment
Speaking on his Drive-Thru podcast, Jim Cornette expressed his severe disappointment with the segment, describing it as insincere and amateurish within the context of professional wrestling entertainment.
“This was the single cringiest, phoniest, fakest, most childish what the f**k that I have ever seen. This was not even routine AEW stuff. This took it to a whole new level,” Jim Cornette, Drive-Thru podcast
Cornette’s frustration was particularly focused on the decision to involve Ripley with performers he considers less experienced or capable, which he believes undermines Ripley’s potential as a top star. He suggested WWE’s handling of Ripley in this storyline diminishes her status as a rising female star with movie business prospects.
“Are they trying to cool Rhea Ripley off on purpose because I have anointed her as the next female action star in the movie business? That she’s too big for all of this, that she needs to go on to Hollywood, and now they’re trying to cool her off by making her swim around in this pool of amateurs,” Jim Cornette, Drive-Thru podcast
Upcoming Match at Crown Jewel Builds on Ongoing Rivalry
The conflict between The Kabuki Warriors and IYO SKY has been intensifying for several weeks, and WWE is now adding Rhea Ripley into the mix. The storyline is set to reach a climax at the upcoming Crown Jewel event, where Ripley and SKY will join forces against Asuka and Kairi Sane.
Notably, Crown Jewel will take place in Australia, which is Ripley’s home country. This adds a personal layer to Ripley’s quest for retribution after repeated assaults by The Kabuki Warriors. Fans are expecting a high-stakes showdown as Ripley aims to redeem herself and assert her dominance on home soil.
Implications of Cornette’s Criticism and Future Prospects
Jim Cornette’s scathing remarks highlight ongoing debate about WWE’s creative choices and talent management, especially regarding promising performers like Rhea Ripley. His comments reflect broader concerns about how certain storylines and character pairings might affect Ripley’s career trajectory both in the ring and potentially in Hollywood.
The criticism also exemplifies the tension between creative direction and fan expectations, with Cornette calling for a better platform that matches Ripley’s skills and star potential. As WWE prepares for Crown Jewel, all eyes will be on how Ripley performs and whether the narrative evolves to support her growth or continues to falter amid questionable booking decisions.
