Rhea Ripley, a former WWE Women’s World Champion and one of the most popular talents on Monday Night RAW, appeared only briefly during this week’s show. Despite her strong fan following and notable status within WWE, Ripley was featured in a very short backstage segment near the end of the broadcast. This limited use surprised many viewers given her high standing on the red brand.
Vince Russo Criticizes Ripley’s Underwhelming Booking on RAW
WWE veteran Vince Russo expressed strong disappointment about Ripley’s minimal involvement in the latest episode. Ripley’s brief segment came amid a backstage exchange with IYO SKY, who had recently broken away from her Damage CTRL teammates, Kairi Sane and Asuka. Russo, speaking on the Legion of RAW show on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, highlighted the lack of significant screen time for Ripley in a program running over two hours.
“Rhea is probably the biggest female star they have on this show, and that’s what she did on this show. That’s it, guys. That’s it in a nutshell. She’s probably the most over female on RAW, and she’s got a 30-second vignette in the back in a two-and-a-half-hour show. That’s unbelievable to me because if I’m writing this show like that, [she] is a weapon. You know that’s a card I’m playing. I mean she’s got a big, big part in the show, and that’s how you use her,” Russo said.
His remarks stressed that Ripley’s popularity should translate into a more prominent role, especially considering her stature within the women’s division.
Potential Paths Forward for Ripley Amidst Stagnant Booking
Rhea Ripley has been a consistent presence on RAW for several years and has secured the Women’s World Championship multiple times. However, her current usage suggests a need for change to maintain momentum in her career. Options such as adopting a heel persona or transferring to WWE’s blue brand could revitalize her character and provide fresh storytelling opportunities for the star known as The Eradicator.
This period of limited exposure raises concerns about how WWE will use one of its top female performers going forward, with fans and commentators alike eager for a shift that better showcases Ripley’s talent and popularity.
