Rhea Ripley showcased her striking physique ahead of her anticipated return to WWE SmackDown this week. The 28-year-old, who has not appeared in a match since defeating Roxanne Perez on RAW last month, posted a video on social media highlighting her intense training regimen.
In the clip, the former Women’s World Champion is seen performing a back and biceps workout, underlining her physical readiness for her upcoming appearance.
“Little back and bi day ✨,”
Ripley captioned the video on Instagram.
Growing Tension Between Rhea Ripley and Asuka
Meanwhile, the WWE landscape features ongoing tension involving Rhea Ripley and Asuka. Asuka recently returned to the ring after a long break to participate in the Queen of the Ring tournament, ultimately losing in the finals to Jade Cargill during Night of Champions. The rivalry has since intensified due to Asuka‘s disapproval of Ripley‘s close association with IYO SKY.
Asuka has expressed concerns over IYO SKY‘s friendship with Ripley on RAW, which has escalated into a personal conflict. This dispute is part of the broader developments surrounding the vacant Women’s World Championship, which IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer will contest at Wrestlepalooza on September 20.
Naomi previously claimed the title by cashing in on SKY at WWE Evolution 2025 but recently relinquished it because of her pregnancy.
Vince Russo Responds to Ripley‘s Complaints About Fan Interaction
Wrestling veteran Vince Russo weighed in on Rhea Ripley’s recent frustration regarding unwanted encounters with fans. Ripley found herself overwhelmed by admirers in Paris, to the point where she could not open her cab door. This incident led Ripley to voice her concerns on social media, prompting Russo to share his perspective.
During an episode of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Writing with Russo show, Russo questioned Ripley’s expectations about the nature of her career in sports entertainment. He emphasized that entering this business inevitably involves public attention and interaction.
“My first question to her would be, what type of business did you think you were getting into? Okay? You got into the sports entertainment business to be a celebrity and make a lot of money. This comes with celebrity. You want your privacy, you don’t want people to hound you, you don’t want people to know who you are, then you are probably in the wrong business,” said Russo.
What Lies Ahead for Rhea Ripley on WWE Raw and SmackDown
With Ripley’s comeback on SmackDown imminent, WWE fans remain eager to see how her storyline will develop, especially given the brewing conflicts involving Asuka and IYO SKY. The upcoming Wrestlepalooza event and the tournament outcomes are likely to influence Ripley’s trajectory moving forward.
As Ripley continues to train and maintain her Rhea Ripley stunning physique SmackDown presence, her role in WWE’s evolving women’s division positions her as a central figure to watch in the coming weeks.
