At a recent interview, Rhea Ripley set the record straight on the now-infamous Rhea Ripley viral stinkface WWE story, confirming the crowd-pleasing moment was actually Nia Jax’s suggestion during a WWE Live event in March 2024. The unplanned ringside act, which took place before WrestleMania 40, sparked a viral sensation among wrestling fans and generated enormous attention for the star, as she explained in passionate and revealing detail.
Nia Jax Inspired the Risky Viral Spot
While live WWE events are known as opportunities for superstars to step outside their typical television personas, Rhea Ripley’s surprising decision to perform a stinkface on Nia Jax quickly became the talk of the wrestling world. These non-televised house shows give performers a chance to experiment for the live audience, and in this instance, it was Jax who pushed for the unexpected routine. Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley recounted how it all happened, her reaction, and the overwhelming aftermath.
“I knew it was gonna be big, but that sh*t exploded. It wasn’t even my idea. It was Nia’s idea. She’s like, ‘Yeah. And then you stink face me.’ I’m like, ok, if you want. But then, before all of that, I was like, I think I should do like the Rikishi pull them up, just do the little dance beforehand. I was like, I’m not gonna get it spot on, so I’m just gonna do my own thing. But I’ll do the whole gimmick, and yeah, it still pops up on my Twitter [X], it’s wild. I got so much publicity off that,”
Ripley said. —Rhea Ripley, WWE Superstar
Ripley admitted she anticipated a strong reaction, but the aftermath surpassed expectations, with the moment reappearing regularly on social platforms. Despite being a departure from her usual character, the incident drew significant media coverage and added another memorable moment to her career highlights.
Key Rivalries Shape Rhea Ripley’s WWE Journey
Following her viral spotlight, Rhea Ripley’s career has remained packed with drama and contention. Early in 2025, she reclaimed the Women’s World Championship by overcoming Liv Morgan during RAW’s Netflix debut, but her reign was cut short as IYO SKY seized the title leading into WrestleMania 41. Ripley’s pursuit of the championship saw her wrestling in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match but without victory.
The contests and animosity escalated when Raquel Rodriguez interfered with Ripley’s Queen of the Ring Tournament match, depriving her of a potential path to glory. Ripley retaliated by disrupting Rodriguez’s own qualifying attempt, intensifying the feud between the two. The rivalry took an even more dramatic turn during a recent RAW episode, when Rodriguez—assisted by Roxanne Perez—sent Ripley crashing through a table in a display of relentless aggression.
Ripley Gears Up for Night of Champions 2025 Showdown
WWE soon announced that Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez would face off at the upcoming Night of Champions 2025, set in a high-stakes Street Fight. The match is expected to further fuel their ongoing vendetta, with Ripley aiming to restore her dominance and fans wondering how far the two superstars will go given their turbulent interactions so far.
With her storyline taking ever more intense and passionate turns, Rhea Ripley’s journey over the past year has been marked by high-profile rivalries, controversies, and dramatic in-ring moments like the viral stinkface incident. The wrestling world now watches closely as Ripley prepares for her next major clash, shaping the future direction of the women’s division and keeping the audience invested in every headline-making development.
