WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley recently had her date night disrupted in a lighthearted moment when longtime friend and WWE interviewer Cathy Kelley appeared unexpectedly. The incident took place during an evening with Ripley’s husband, AEW star Buddy Matthews, and was captured in a video Kelley shared on her official X account. This playful interruption quickly drew attention and sparked reactions online, including from Ripley herself, who responded with emojis to the clip.
The Friendship Behind the Moments
Rhea Ripley and Cathy Kelley have maintained a close friendship over the years. Kelley humorously refers to Ripley as her “ex” on multiple occasions, illustrating their strong bond beyond the wrestling ring and interview settings. This genuine camaraderie adds context to Kelley’s spontaneous interruption, which fans have enjoyed as a glimpse into their personal connection.
Cathy Kelley’s Departure and Return to WWE
In early 2020, Cathy Kelley took fans by surprise when she announced her departure from WWE. However, she returned to the company two years later and has been serving as a backstage interviewer on the main roster since then. Reflecting on her first exit during an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Kelley shared the challenges she faced trying to break into main show broadcasting:
“While I was at NXT, they said that I wasn’t ever going to be on a main show, that was my catalyst. I’ve talked about this recently, but the first week where I don’t feel like I not necessarily brought my A Game, I wasn’t prepared for that opportunity, that loomed over me for the next couple of years. I did a lot of digital stuff but they didn’t feel like that was enough to prepare me for live television. And then even though I was doing a paragraph of live NXT each week, I was in an overlook every week and run down the matches or talking with William Regal about the show. Then a couple of weeks later I remember putting in my resignation letter that I had a conversation with Cole that it was probably never going to happen.” —Cathy Kelley, WWE interviewer
Despite the hurdles, Kelley has proven her value in WWE, solidifying her role with fans eager to see her continued presence and growth within the company.
Implications for Rhea Ripley and WWE Fans
This playful incident between Ripley and Kelley offers fans a rare, candid look at the personalities behind the wrestling personas, highlighting the friendships that thrive outside the spotlight. For Ripley, moments like these reinforce her relatable and approachable image. For Kelley, returning to WWE and sharing such light-hearted content helps strengthen her connection with the audience after her comeback. Together, these interactions suggest a positive environment behind the scenes that fans will likely continue to appreciate.
