Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews bond remains strong despite the competitive landscape separating WWE and AEW, as demonstrated during WWE Evolution 2025. Following Ripley’s loss at the event, Matthews, her real-life husband and AEW wrestler currently on injury hiatus, showed support by sharing clips that highlighted their connection on Instagram.
How Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews Support Each Other Across Wrestling Promotions
Although affiliated with rival promotions—Ripley with WWE and Matthews with AEW—the married couple maintains a close personal relationship, frequently sharing moments of their life together with fans. Ripley continues to pursue championship success within WWE, while Matthews is sidelined due to injury but remains active on social media, celebrating their shared passion and moves.
During her match against IYO SKY, Ripley executed a rising knee move on the apron that Matthews identified as one he had popularized. He posted his version of the move alongside Ripley’s, captioning the video, “We in this together! 😎😁😛,” emphasizing their unity despite professional divides.
Early Tensions Between Buddy Matthews and Rhea Ripley on the Australian Wrestling Circuit
Before becoming partners, Ripley and Matthews were rivals in the Australian independent wrestling scene, where Matthews performed as a villainous character. Ripley attended shows where Matthews was a heel, and reportedly disliked him due to his aggressive persona. Matthews shared this background in an interview with Chris Van Vliet, describing how Ripley once reacted strongly to an in-ring move he executed on another wrestler named Sway.
“She [Ripley] used to watch me when I wrestled in Australia,” said Matthews. “Yeah, she was in the crowd, and she HATED me. And she still, to this day—there was this girl, her name was Sway, and I was a heel back then, so one of the angles was she did something, and I just rifled this forearm off on her and dropped her. She thought—she’s probably scarred by this, but she remembers it. She hated me.”
—Buddy Matthews, Wrestler
This story highlights the evolution of their relationship from professional opponents to life partners, underscoring the powerful bond they share beyond their in-ring competition.
The Future of Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews Amid Wrestling Careers
Currently, Ripley holds a prominent position in WWE, while Matthews awaits a return to action as he recovers from injury. Both continue to nurture their personal connection despite being part of promotions often viewed as competitors. Whether they will ever appear together in the ring remains unknown, but their mutual respect and affection provide a compelling story amidst the wrestling world’s rivalries.
