Former multi-time tag team champion Bully Ray voiced strong disapproval over a moment involving Rhea Ripley at WWE Night of Champions, specifically targeting the referee’s involvement during a critical spot. The controversy centered on the referee holding a table steady as Ripley executed an Avalanche Riptide finish in her Street Fight against Raquel Rodriguez.
At the premium live event, Rhea Ripley faced Raquel Rodriguez in a heated Street Fight, culminating with Ripley securing victory by performing her signature finishing maneuver off a table placed atop a turnbuckle. During the move, the referee was seen physically steadying the table to prevent it from wobbling, thus assisting the wrestlers in carrying out the sequence.
Concerns Raised Over Referee Interference in Wrestling Matches
During an appearance on the Busted Open podcast, Bully Ray expressed his belief that referees should maintain a hands-off approach in wrestling bouts, emphasizing that their involvement undermines the sport’s credibility. He compared wrestling to other major sports, noting that officials in those arenas never physically interfere with the play.
“I don’t think a referee should ever be involved in anything. I think referees are involved in entirely too much stuff today in pro wrestling; period,” Bully said, pointing out how pro wrestling wants everything to be credible like other major sports yet no other sport would let a referee or umpire get involved in the action. “They do these things; fans just cheer and ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ — they’re not affected by it — and they just keep moving forward,” Ray added. —Bully Ray, former tag team champion
Referee Holding Table During Street Fight Spot Draws Strong Criticism
Bully Ray elaborated on his dissatisfaction specifically with how the table spot was managed during the match between Ripley and Rodriguez. While acknowledging the importance of wrestler safety, he questioned whether that concern should justify the referee physically supporting the table in a street fight scenario, a match type known for its brutal, no-rules style.
“The whole table situation left a bad taste in my mouth when it came to Rhea and [Raquel]. Yes, wrestler’s safety is very important, but you’re telling me the wrestler’s safety is very important in a Street Fight to the point the referee has to hold the table so it’s not shaking, so the women can execute the move? It’s glaring to me.” —Bully Ray, former tag team champion
Implications for Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez’s Storylines Moving Forward
Following their intense encounter at Night of Champions, Rhea Ripley appears to be shifting her attention toward the Women’s World Championship ahead of the upcoming Evolution event. Meanwhile, Raquel Rodriguez will partner with Roxanne Perez to defend the Women’s Tag Team Championship in a Fatal-Four-Way match next weekend in Atlanta. The end of their rivalry leaves fans to anticipate new developments in both competitors’ careers.
