WWE superstar Rhea Ripley surprised fans by disclosing that her real name is Demiti Bennet during the debut episode of the WWE: Unreal docuseries on Netflix. This revelation sheds new light on the identity behind one of WWE’s most electrifying performers, whose in-ring persona has captivated audiences worldwide.
How Rhea Ripley Chose Her Ring Name
Known widely as Rhea Ripley, the 28-year-old wrestler explained the meaning behind her chosen name, which resonates strongly with her fierce wrestling style. The name “Rhea” honors a goddess, symbolizing power, while “Ripley” was inspired by the strong female character from the movie Aliens, reflecting her own toughness in the ring.
“Technically, my name is Demiti Bennet, but I go by Rhea Ripley, and that’s what everyone really knows me by. Rhea is a goddess’ name, and Ripley is from the chick from Aliens, because she’s a badass, and I just put them together. ‘RR,’ thought it made sense,” she said. —Rhea Ripley
Early Steps Into WWE: From Australia to Global Spotlight
Ripley’s path to WWE began in her hometown of Adelaide, South Australia, where she grew up watching WWE and dreaming of being part of it. At 17, she attempted her first WWE tryout when the company visited Australia but was considered too young at the time. Three years later, at age 20, she was invited back for another tryout, paving the way for her eventual WWE career.
“I’m from Adelaide, South Australia. I watched WWE growing up, absolutely loved it. WWE came to Australia when I was 17 years old, and they gave me a tryout then, but I was too young. Then they end up coming back when I was 20, and they had another tryout. So, they invited me to that, and yeah, I mean, the rest is pretty much history,” said Rhea. —Rhea Ripley
Upcoming Challenge at WWE SummerSlam
Rhea Ripley is set to compete in a highly anticipated Triple-Threat Women’s World Championship match this weekend at WWE SummerSlam. Alongside IYO SKY, Ripley will challenge Naomi for the title, giving her a chance to reclaim the championship. Fans and critics alike will closely watch to see if Ripley can reclaim her position at the top of the division.
This pivotal match not only highlights Ripley’s continued prominence in WWE but also underscores her journey from a young hopeful from Adelaide to a global wrestling star. Her recent name reveal adds a personal dimension to her already compelling story, connecting fans more closely with the athlete behind the persona.
