During a recent visit to Disneyland Paris, WWE star Rhea Ripley was overwhelmed by fans who swarmed her, leading to a public reaction that sparked debate online. The situation became a focal point after wrestling veteran Vince Russo expressed strong criticism of Ripley’s handling of the event, questioning her decision to confront the fans instead of securing proper protection. This controversy has drawn attention to the security measures wrestlers might need while interacting with the public, especially during casual appearances.
Vince Russo’s Take on the Incident and Security Advice
Vince Russo, sharing his perspective on Sportskeeda’s Writing with Russo podcast, emphasized that Ripley had several alternatives available to prevent the situation escalating as it did. He suggested that Ripley could have brought security personnel, accompanied herself with male wrestlers, or requested protection from WWE management before attending the event. Russo criticized her response to fans, reminding her that those fans financially support her career.
“Either have somebody from the office go with you. Either go with one of the male figures, one of the male wrestlers. Either hire a freaking bodyguard because you make enough money. Or either go to your company and say, ‘You know what, I don’t feel comfortable, I need security.’ She has got like four or five different options rather than to cut a promo on the freaking fans that are paying her salary,” he said on Sportskeeda’s Writing with Russo.
Following the incident, Ripley used her social media platforms to request fans respect her personal boundaries, signaling her frustration with the situation and the overwhelming attention she faced.
Bayley Signals Possible Return to Villainous Character
In other WWE news, Bayley has been hinting at a significant character change. After a period of uncertainty following her recent rivalry with Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria, Bayley took to X to share a cryptic message that appears to confirm she is preparing to embrace her heel persona once again. The message, brief yet suggestive, indicates a shift back to a more aggressive and calculating version of her character.
“KILL THE SOUL, turn a profit,” she wrote.
Fans and analysts speculate that this change may mark a new chapter for Bayley, who might soon officially reveal her revamped wrestling persona.
Ronda Rousey Confirms Retirement from Pro Wrestling
Meanwhile, Ronda Rousey has indicated that she is mostly done with professional wrestling. Since leaving WWE in 2023, Rousey competed in some independent matches and in Ring of Honor, but a recent interview made it clear she is moving on from her wrestling career. The UFC Hall of Famer revealed that her original motivation—to wrestle with her fellow Four Horsewomen—was never fully realized, and once that opportunity closed, so did her commitment to the sport.
“Pretty much, I’d say so. I got into WWE because I wanted to be able to wrestle with my girls, you know, the Four Horsewomen and be able to wrestle with my friends. And they kind of dangled that carrot for my whole run and never let it happen. And then the second run, they kept dangling it. And then by the end, I was like, I’m f***ing leaving unless I can wrestle with Shayna [Baszler]. And that’s how I was able to do it at all. And now nobody even works there anymore.”
Rousey’s WWE tenure included a brief hiatus and a short comeback in 2022, but now her focus appears to be elsewhere, closing the chapter on her wrestling career.
AJ Lee Rumored to Return Amid Naomi’s Maternity Leave
The former Divas Champion, AJ Lee, is anticipated to make her return to wrestling after an absence of over 3000 days, creating excitement among WWE fans. Naomi, currently on maternity leave, has commented on this possibility with a humorous yet pointed warning that AJ’s return might cause chaos on social media during her absence. Naomi previously expressed that she planned to remain active in wrestling until AJ Lee made her comeback.
“If she returns while I’m out yall will witness the crash out of the century on this app,” she wrote.
The Glow’s recent pregnancy announcement confirms she will be away from in-ring competition for some time, making AJ Lee’s potential reappearance even more impactful within the WWE women’s division.
Implications of the Rhea Ripley Disneyland Incident and Industry Impact
The controversy surrounding Rhea Ripley’s Disneyland incident response raises important questions about how WWE talents manage fan interactions and personal safety. Vince Russo’s remarks underline the need for better security protocols or personal measures to avoid uncomfortable encounters in public. Ripley’s online reaction demonstrates how such incidents can escalate quickly, affecting both wrestlers and their fan bases.
With shifts happening across the WWE landscape—from Bayley’s character pivot and AJ Lee’s expected return to Ronda Rousey’s stepping away—these developments indicate a transitional phase in women’s wrestling. The responses from these key figures, combined with ongoing challenges in fan engagement, will likely influence how WWE stars navigate public appearances and their in-ring careers moving forward.
