Canadian rapper Drake made headlines this September by publicly calling WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley his “muse” during an interview with Bobbi Althoff. The revelation came amid growing attention on WWE personalities and talent shifts, sparking interest because of Ripley’s established career and personal life within the wrestling world.
During the conversation, Drake described Rhea Ripley as the dominant presence on his Instagram’s For You Page, despite their very different styles. This unexpected confession highlights the crossover appeal WWE stars can have beyond the wrestling ring.
Details of Drake’s Remarks About His Ideal Partner
Drake went further by explaining his vision of a dream partner, describing someone with a gothic aesthetic and distinctive tattoos, a description many interpreted as referencing Ripley’s well-known goth-inspired persona. These comments quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from Ripley’s fans given her marriage to AEW wrestler Buddy Matthews.
“My FYP page [on Instagram] is just all Rhea Ripley. She’s a wrestler. She’s like my muse, but I’m the opposite of probably everything that she likes.”
—Drake, Rapper
“I don’t know if the world is ready to accept what I feel is like my partner. It’s some tweaked-out, like goth, kind of like tatted all over… I really feel like my destiny is to end up with a goth baddie with just absolute O cups.”
—Drake, Rapper
Recent WWE Talent Movements and Unsettled Departures
Amid these celebrity comments, WWE has been dealing with notable roster changes. One significant departure is Andrade, a former United States Champion, who last competed at SummerSlam 2025 in a high-profile match. Reports suggest his release was due to ongoing creative disagreements rather than financial cuts, adding tension to WWE’s backstage environment.
According to Fightful Select, Andrade and Rey Fenix were originally planned to face The Wyatt Sicks at Clash in Paris last month before Andrade’s sudden exit altered these plans. Sources indicate Andrade was unreachable for weeks before his release, marking his exit as an isolated but disruptive incident for WWE.
Backstage Struggles Experienced by Former WWE Tag Team
Another notable backstage revelation came from Rezar, formerly of the Authors of Pain (AOP). Ahead of their main roster debut in 2018, Rezar revealed that he and his partner Akam almost quit WWE due to management’s decision to sever ties with their long-time manager, Paul Ellering.
Rezar shared that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon reportedly wanted to limit the presence of older talent on the show, leading to tensions:
“That was the day that we were deciding to stop with WWE. We were just called up, and the first day at the main roster, they were telling us, ‘You have to leave Paul Ellering.’ Me and my tag team partner Akam, Sonny, he said, ‘Yo, let’s just give our resignation letter and just leave.’ But Paul told us, ‘Try it out. I’ve helped you guys to get there, so much hard work, we can always get back together later.'”
—Rezar, Former WWE Superstar
“He [Vince McMahon] wanted to be the only elderly person who would be in the spotlight at the time.”
—Rezar, Former WWE Superstar
The Authors of Pain eventually stayed but were released in 2020, only to return with Ellering in 2024 before being let go again this year.
Anticipated Matches and Speculation for WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia
Looking ahead, WWE’s WrestleMania 43 is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, with speculation swirling around a potential high-profile return. Reports from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicate that Saudi organizers are eager to have The Rock perform one more time as the main event’s centerpiece.
The Rock’s opponent would be either Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns, both of whom have strong fan followings and storyline histories with him. While Rhodes and The Rock have yet to meet in a singles competition, Reigns vs. The Rock is widely viewed as a dream match for fans worldwide.
As the event nears, it remains to be seen if Saudi Arabia’s interest will persuade The Rock to make this potentially final WWE appearance.
Significance of These Developments for WWE’s Future
Drake’s comments about Rhea Ripley highlight how WWE talent can captivate audiences outside wrestling, enhancing their cultural influence. Meanwhile, departures like Andrade’s and former backstage tensions with AOP reflect ongoing challenges in talent management that WWE must navigate to maintain stability.
The buzz around WrestleMania 43’s Saudi Arabia venue, alongside star power potential involving The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns, shows WWE’s continued ambition to blend entertainment with competitive storytelling on a global stage. How these elements evolve will heavily shape WWE’s momentum heading into 2026 and beyond.
