Rhea Ripley, a prominent figure in the WWE, has openly stated that she is not planning to have children for at least the next five to ten years, citing the intense demands of her wrestling career as the main reason. Currently at the peak of her professional WWE journey, Ripley is focused on her growth in the industry and wants to avoid bringing a child on the road, where schedules are grueling and unpredictable. This reveals the challenges that come with balancing personal life ambitions and professional commitments within WWE, especially for rising stars like Ripley.
Balancing Demanding Wrestling Schedules with Personal Life
The pro wrestling industry is known for its relentless workloads, requiring superstars, production crews, and backstage staff to dedicate almost all their time and energy to produce high-quality shows. This often forces wrestlers to put aside their personal lives. For several WWE superstars, managing family plans becomes particularly difficult due to constant travel and intense physical demand. While some wrestlers find ways to maintain that balance, many others step back from having children or delay parenthood because of these professional pressures.
Perspectives of Other WWE Stars on Parenthood
Rhea Ripley is not alone in her decision to postpone or forgo having children amid WWE’s challenging schedule. Several notable figures within the wrestling world have chosen similar paths. WWE Hall of Famer Lita, renowned for her contributions to women’s wrestling, has remained child-free, although she has not publicly spoken about this choice. Instead, she embraces a supportive role as a godmother to her close friend Trish Stratus’ son.
Similarly, CM Punk, who is married to former Divas Champion AJ Lee, has not had children and has yet to provide an explanation for this choice. Punk serves as a mentor and a father figure to younger wrestlers such as Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade but focuses on raising a pet dog with his wife rather than expanding their family.
Rhea Ripley’s Views on Motherhood and Wrestling Life
Ripley, who is married to former WWE competitor Buddy Matthews, spoke candidly about her future plans in an interview with Jazzys World TV. She emphasized the difficulty of bringing children along on the road due to the demanding nature of traveling and wrestling. Ripley explained:
“If you think about it this way as well, a lot of us get motherhood taken away for a long time. Like, I’m still young, yes, but I work for WWE; it’s very demanding. I probably can’t have kids for the next five to 10 years because I don’t want to have to bring them on the road and put them through that,” —Rhea Ripley, WWE Superstar
John Cena’s Explanation for Postponing Fatherhood
Another top WWE star, John Cena, has openly shared why he is not currently focused on having children. Known as a 17-time WWE World Champion and a major Hollywood actor, Cena juggles a very packed schedule. On The Drew Barrymore Show, he reflected on the challenges of balancing his career with his personal life:
“I really enjoy my life. I have been riding a lightning bolt for quite some time now. I have been given opportunities to do and see things that man, I didn’t even dream of and I had some pretty lofty dreams. It’s hard work. It’s hard work to balance the time, I need to run myself correctly. It’s hard work to be the best partner and husband I can be to my loving wife. It’s hard to keep connections with those in my life that I love. And it’s also hard to put in an honest day’s work.” —John Cena, WWE Superstar
The Challenges Faced by WWE Stars in Family Planning
The stories of Ripley, Cena, and others reflect broader realities within WWE, where the physical demands, travel, and work schedule frequently force performers to delay or reconsider parenthood. While the future remains open, these decisions underscore the sacrifices that many wrestlers make for their professional ambitions. Fans and industry observers may watch closely to see if these stars’ viewpoints shift as their careers evolve or as their personal priorities change over time.
