At the SummerSlam 2025 Kickoff Show, Rhea Ripley surprised the audience with a dramatic return to a previous persona, unveiling a significant Rhea Ripley SummerSlam 2025 character change. The event, which took place during WWE’s major annual showcase, not only marked a turning point for Ripley but reignited conversation about her on-screen role and storylines.
Ripley, known as The Eradicator, has become one of the most recognized names in the WWE universe. Despite experiencing setbacks in the form of several lost title opportunities in recent months, her popularity among fans, often called “Mami,” remains incredibly strong. Much of her reputation was cemented during her time with the notorious faction The Judgment Day, a group led by Adam Copeland (formerly Edge). Her exit from the team was a dramatic turn itself, following the betrayal by her then on-screen ally Dominik Mysterio, who aligned himself with Liv Morgan at SummerSlam 2024.
Ripley Unveils Throwback Theme in a Bold Move
As anticipation built at the SummerSlam 2025 Kickoff, Michael Cole took the stage to welcome The Eradicator. Fans were quickly taken aback when Ripley did not emerge to her recent theme music, but instead showcased a throwback—her 2022 anthem “Demon in Your Dreams.” This version was notably significant as it was the one she used when Adam Copeland led The Judgment Day, signalling a direct nod to her earlier days and perhaps hinting at a shift in her character’s direction or mindset.
Ripley’s decision to revisit this iconic element of her persona sparked immediate reactions both in the arena and on social media, as longtime followers debated what this move could mean for her storyline going forward.
WWE RAW’s Stephanie Vaquer Sets Her Sights on Ripley
Meanwhile, the buzz around Ripley’s comeback wasn’t limited to her music choice. WWE RAW star Stephanie Vaquer brought up Ripley in a recent interview, highlighting her as an ideal future opponent.
WWE Español’s Instagram shared footage of an interview with Vaquer, who, when prompted to name her dream match, didn’t hesitate to call out Ripley as her top pick for a future WrestleMania showdown.
“I can think of many. [Host – Okay, tell me one. The first one that comes to mind.] Rhea, WrestleMania. Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania, I think that would be an excellent place, and what better opponent?” she said.
Stephanie Vaquer and Rhea Ripley have already shared a ring in a high-stakes environment, having both competed in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match earlier this year. However, a one-on-one contest between the two has yet to occur. With Triple H and the WWE creative team continually looking to deliver fresh matches, speculation is rife about whether fans will see these two stars face off in singles action.
This recent turn for Ripley at SummerSlam 2025, both in character presentation and in her positioning within WWE storylines, could set up major new rivalries and define her trajectory for the coming year. As the WWE universe processes her latest transformation, all eyes will be on what Rhea Ripley—and her potential challengers—do next.
