Top WWE competitor Rhea Ripley recently shared details about her anxieties over some of the high-risk maneuvers she executed during her WrestleMania 39 match against Charlotte Flair. Speaking on Nina Drama’s Kick Stream, Ripley reflected on how certain moves, especially the ones involving aerial techniques, made her feel nervous despite her confidence in performing them.
A Close Call with the WrestleMania Suplex
Among the moves Ripley discussed was a suplex she nearly failed to deliver cleanly against Charlotte Flair. She explained that this particular suplex involves positioning the opponent in a powerbomb setup by holding through their legs, then tucking their head before lifting them for the suplex. Ripley noted the difficulty of executing this move on the tall and lanky Flair, whose extended legs posed a unique challenge.
“It was against Charlotte Flair, and I used to do this thing where I’d stuff them in a powerbomb, I’d grab their hands through their legs and pop them around so they’re sitting on me, and I’d tuck them in and pick them up for a suplex, and I hit the suplex. And I remember because she’s so long and lanky, her legs are so long and it’s hard to do that against someone that’s tall. But I remember flipping her around, and I got her to sit here. And I tucked her head and I went for the suplex, and her legs caught on my hips. And then I’m like, ‘Oh no, oh no!’ And I literally — I don’t know what happened. I guess it was adrenaline, but I somehow managed to bicep curl her and shoulder press her up into the suplex. But it took a hot minute, and you see us both struggling And I was like, ‘I’ve gotta hit this. If I don’t, I’m not going to hear the end of it.’ And I somehow hit it, I don’t know how.”
?Rhea Ripley, WWE Wrestler
Overcoming Obstacles Amid Rising Pressure
Ripley acknowledged that although she normally excels at the moves involving springboards and headscissors, the pressure of executing them live still causes pre-match nerves. Her struggle with the suplex at WrestleMania illustrates the fine line between success and error in high-stakes wrestling matches, especially when facing formidable opponents like Flair. Despite the momentary difficulty, Ripley’s resilience and quick thinking allowed her to successfully complete the move under pressure.
What This Means for Ripley’s WWE Future
This incident highlights not only the physical challenges wrestlers endure but also the mental demands during major events such as WrestleMania. Ripley’s ability to adapt quickly under pressure demonstrates her growing skill and determination in WWE. Fans can expect that Ripley will continue to refine her technique and perform with increasing confidence in future matches, maintaining her status as a top star in the wrestling world.
