Several years ago, following the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event (PLE) in Australia, a memorable moment between Rhea Ripley and Nia Jax became an online sensation. During one of WWE’s live shows occurring weeks after the event, Ripley delivered the infamous stinkface move to Jax, sparking widespread attention among wrestling fans due to its bold and controversial nature.
The clip quickly circulated across social media, fueling discussions and making it one of the most talked-about moments involving the two performers. Recently, Nia Jax addressed the incident in detail during an appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight, revealing the story behind what viewers saw on screen.
How the Stinkface Moment Was Created
Jax explained that the idea to perform the stinkface actually originated with her, rather than Ripley.
“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,”
Jax said, sharing her intention to add some fresh heat to their in-ring dynamic.
The move was meant to be playful yet impactful, fitting Jax’s persona as a villainous character who enjoys taunting her opponents with bold gestures. The intensity of the segment and Ripley’s enthusiastic participation helped solidify its place as a viral WWE moment.
Expanding the Segment with Shayna Baszler
After the initial Rust Ripley-Nia Jax stunt made waves, the pair decided to involve former NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler in a related spot, further elevating the moment. Jax described the expansion:
“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,”
she recalled.
This addition created a memorable triple-threat encounter that energized the audience and boosted the segment’s popularity, blending humor and shock value in equal measure.
Memorable Variations and Audience Reaction
To keep the moment fresh and unpredictable, Jax and Ripley switched things up during subsequent appearances. Jax described one such instance, explaining,
“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.”
This playful back-and-forth helped maintain the crowd’s enthusiasm, with unexpected twists adding layers to the characters’ interactions. The evolving nature of the scent-based spots contributed to their lasting impact.
Current Status of Nia Jax and Rhea Ripley
As of now, Nia Jax teams up with Lash Legend on SmackDown, continuing her WWE journey in the tag team division. Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley holds the women’s tag team championship alongside IYO Sky, further cementing her status as a top competitor within the organization.
WWE’s cameras recently caught Ripley delivering the stinkface to Nia Jax once again, proving the move’s ongoing place in their performances and fan conversations.
WWE’s cameras captured Rhea Ripley hitting Nia Jax with the stink face last night. pic.twitter.com/hAtayNheUZ
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 24, 2024
