At a WWE live event in March 2024, Rhea Ripley delivered a now-famous stink face to Nia Jax, a moment that quickly gained viral attention online. The following night, Shayna Baszler voluntarily positioned herself for a similar stunt by Ripley, creating a memorable sequence that fans eagerly followed. The incident, connected to the emerging popularity of the “Rhea Ripley Stink Face,” sparked curiosity about its origin.
Nia Jax Explains How the Stink Face Idea Began
During an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Nia Jax shared that the idea of the stink face actually originated with her. She explained that while performing as a villainous character, she often used the stink face to taunt opponents, but it was at this particular live event that she encouraged Ripley to try it herself.
“Well, I mean, it was my idea to stink face. It wasn’t my idea for her to get them freaking cheeks out. So obviously, that’s what I do. I do the stink face, and as a heel, I like to rub it in, literally. I just thought we were on the live event. I thought one night, let’s change this up. Why not? Because it was a cool Triple Threat moment, me her and Shayna, and I was like, ‘Why don’t you give me a stink face?’ She’s like, really? She was like, ‘You mean like Rikishi style?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, do the full Rikishi. Get it, get it!’ And then we did it. And obviously, like, the crowd went nuts, and then it was a viral moment, and yeah, and then we had a good time. We actually switched it a couple nights because everybody was expecting it and I was trying to be a dick about it. Then I did it to Shayna, where Shayna was like, ‘Let me have it.’ She closed her eyes, and then I freaking took out Rhea, and then she didn’t realize it was me. It was funny. It was a good time,”
Nia Jax’s account reveals that the memorable moment was a spontaneous decision to spice up the Triple Threat match involving Ripley and Baszler.
How the Crowd Reacted and the Impact of the Moment
The crowd’s enthusiastic reaction to the stunt demonstrated the infectious energy of the moment, contributing significantly to its viral spread across social media. Nia Jax noted that the crowd’s response encouraged them to experiment with variations of the stunt over subsequent nights, playing with fan expectations and delivering a playful rivalry element within their storyline.
Fan Engagement and Reaction Following the Viral Spot
Following the viral stink face moment, WWE fans eagerly engaged with the event through social media and live broadcasts, increasing visibility for Nia Jax, Rhea Ripley, and Shayna Baszler. This sequence added a layer of entertainment to their ongoing matches, offering a mix of humor and competitiveness that resonated well with audiences.
Why the Stink Face Moment Matters for WWE Storylines
The viral moment’s significance lies in how it showcases WWE’s ability to blend character-driven storytelling with unexpected and humorous in-ring entertainment. Nia Jax’s role in masterminding the move highlights her impact on match dynamics, while Rhea Ripley’s willingness to embrace the stunt further develops her character. Such moments often lead to increased fan interaction and can influence future booking decisions and rivalries within WWE programming.
