Rhea Ripley’s move to WWE’s main roster was marked by uncertainty and hesitation, with confusion surrounding her character direction that reportedly left then-Chairman Vince McMahon at a loss. The circumstances behind this Rhea Ripley WWE main roster confusion surfaced during a recent interview, shedding light on the challenges she faced amidst the high-profile transition from NXT to Raw during the pandemic era.
Early Success in NXT and Rising Expectations
After joining WWE in 2017, Rhea Ripley quickly established herself as a top competitor in NXT, capturing both the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Championship and the NXT Women’s Championship by 2019. Her dominant presence on the black and gold brand set high expectations for her future, painting a picture of a powerhouse ready to take the main roster by storm. With a growing fan base invested in her every move, the stage seemed set for a smooth advancement to the next level of her career.
The Main Roster Move: Character Ambiguity During the Pandemic
Ripley officially debuted on WWE’s main roster on March 22, 2021, exactly when global circumstances had forced WWE to operate without live audiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This unique environment introduced new complications, most prominently a lack of live crowd feedback to help define her character. In a revealing podcast conversation with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley explained that Vince McMahon was uncertain whether she should portray a heel or a babyface upon arrival. This indecision affected how her storylines evolved and how she was positioned on-screen.

I was on NXT UK, and I was that force that came from the second Mae Young Classic, and then that kind of transferred onto NXT, but in a babyface sort of manner, which was a little bit different, but kind of the same. And then as soon as I came to the main roster, it was in COVID. So Vince didn’t know what to do with me. He didn’t know if I was face or heel. And he’s like, “Well, she looks like a heel.” And everyone was like, “You don’t understand, she’s a babyface. People actually like it.” He’s like, “Nah, she’s a heel.”
This debate over her on-screen alignment continued for a significant period, as creative minds backstage and McMahon himself seemed divided. The absence of the usual crowd reactions further complicated the situation, leaving Ripley in a state of limbo between audience favorite and villain, as her distinctive look and presence sparked differing interpretations.
Ongoing Confusion and Eventual Resolution
For Ripley, the experience remained frustrating until her eventual partnership with Dominik Mysterio. The alliance allowed her to settle into a more clearly defined persona and opened new creative avenues on the main roster. This shift not only helped clarify her role in WWE programming but enabled her to showcase different aspects of her personality and wrestling talent.
The Emotional Weight of Sudden Success
Despite her accolades and in-ring achievements, Ripley disclosed that her rapid rise brought unexpected personal struggles. While appearing on the Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet, she described feeling overwhelmed and uncertain at times about the attention she receives as a high-profile WWE Superstar. Her candid nature provided fans with insight into the emotional tension that can accompany sudden fame.
I’m walking around and I’m like why are these people looking at me? Do I look like a 13-year-old boy? Just staring at me because I look stupid, what is wrong with me right now? And I get mad. I’m like, look away. Take a photo. It’ll last longer. And then I’m like oh sh*t. They probably know who I am. I just get mad sometimes. I just forget that I’m known.
Her reflection revealed the intense personal impact of stardom and the moments of discomfort she occasionally experiences in public, further highlighting the psychological side of transitioning to global recognition in wrestling.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Challenges for Ripley
As Rhea Ripley prepares to compete in Saudi Arabia, she is set to defend her position against Raquel Rodriguez in a highly anticipated Street Fight at WWE’s Night of Champions event. This match adds another chapter to her evolving legacy, demonstrating resilience despite earlier setbacks related to the main roster confusion. Ripley’s journey illustrates her adaptability and ability to overcome backstage uncertainties to excel within the global spotlight that WWE provides.
Wider Implications of Ripley’s Experience
The story of Rhea Ripley’s adjustment after her call-up underscores ongoing challenges that talent can face when moving from WWE’s developmental systems to the main roster. It reflects the influence that influential figures like Vince McMahon have over character trajectories, and the complicated process of aligning creative vision with audience reception, especially without direct fan feedback due to extraordinary circumstances such as the pandemic. As Ripley continues to deliver compelling performances, her experience may serve as a reference point for how WWE can refine its approach for future NXT standouts making similar leaps to greater prominence.