Rhea Ripley hopes that the new Netflix docuseries WWE Unreal will help fans discover the personal challenges behind the public persona of WWE superstars. The series premieres on Tuesday, July 29th, offering a rare backstage look at WWE’s world, aiming to show what life is like beyond the ring.
Behind the Curtain: A Closer Look at WWE Superstar Life
Netflix’s latest venture into sports documentaries focuses on WWE, taking advantage of the company’s partnership with the streaming platform, where weekly shows like Raw also air. The five-episode WWE Unreal pulls back the curtain on the intense world of professional wrestling, revealing elements often hidden from fans.
While some critics worry that this inside access might expose sensitive aspects of WWE’s carefully managed image, Ripley welcomes the chance for viewers to connect with wrestlers on a more human level. She shared with JoBlo Celebrity Access her enthusiasm for the series to shift perceptions that wrestlers are more than just their in-ring characters.
“I think they get to look at us as real people, which is something that I’m low-key excited for because sometimes they don’t treat us like we’re real people. So I feel like this little insight will just help them realize that, yes, we may be WWE superstars, but we still go through things that normal humans go through.” —Rhea Ripley, Former WWE Women’s Champion
Rhea Ripley Highlights the Daily Realities of WWE Life
Ripley emphasized that WWE Unreal will also reveal a typical day working within WWE, shedding light on the pressures and hurdles wrestlers face while performing on television. She hopes the docuseries captures the emotional and physical intensity that come with the job.
“They’ll be able to see what our normal day is at work and sort of like take in all the stresses that we go through and what we overcome each TV. I’m just intrigued to see how it all pans out and I’m hoping that, I know everything’s going to be positive, but I’m hoping that people take away the humanity, the human side of us all.” —Rhea Ripley, Former WWE Women’s Champion
The docuseries comes at a pivotal time for Ripley, who has been involved in some notable moments within WWE recently. At WWE Evolution, she nearly captured the Women’s World Title from Iyo Sky, only for Naomi to opportunistically cash in her Money in the Bank contract and claim the championship.
Looking ahead, Ripley is set to challenge Naomi and Iyo Sky in a triple threat match at WWE SummerSlam, which will be held over two nights for the first time in history. The Women’s World Title contest is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd, at the MetLife Stadium, marking a major event where Ripley will attempt to reclaim her lost title.
Upcoming WWE Events and Industry Updates
Beyond Ripley’s storyline, WWE has announced several notable developments for the SummerSlam weekend and beyond. A new grudge match has been added to the event’s increasingly star-studded lineup, further intensifying the competition.
Meanwhile, a recently released WWE talent publicly criticized Triple H and the creative team for assigning an unfavorable name to their faction, showcasing ongoing creative disputes within the organization. Additionally, recent photos of Brock Lesnar have surfaced amid rumors about the potential end of his TKO ban, generating buzz about his wrestling future.
Other significant industry highlights include Drew McIntyre revealing he almost missed his recent World Heavyweight Championship match against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL due to injury concerns. Shawn Michaels reflected on his brief WWE in-ring comeback, expressing no regrets despite the challenges involved.
On the broader wrestling scene, AJ Styles made a return to the Impact Wrestling Slammiversary event, though not all veterans welcomed him back warmly. Meanwhile, an AEW star praised Seth Rollins as an extraordinarily talented performer and a defining figure in WWE today.
Additionally, WWE’s SummerSlam weekend underwent some scheduling changes, including the cancellation of a previously announced appearance by Cody Rhodes, reducing his planned involvement at the event.
What WWE Unreal Means for Fans and the Wrestling Community
The release of WWE Unreal promises to offer fans a new level of transparency and connection with their favorite wrestlers, revealing the human struggles behind the scripted spectacle. For Rhea Ripley and her colleagues, the series provides an opportunity to present their realities authentically, potentially changing how audiences view the wrestling world.
As the wrestling community anticipates SummerSlam and other upcoming shows, WWE Unreal may deepen appreciation for the dedication and resilience required to perform at such a high level. This documentary could help bridge the gap between the characters seen on TV and the real lives lived behind the scenes, influencing fan perceptions and WWE’s portrayal in the media moving forward.
