Rhea Ripley, a former WWE Women’s Champion, has grown into one of the most prominent figures in professional wrestling, gaining significant attention through memorable moments. In 2024, she created a viral buzz by emulating Rikishi’s iconic move, pulling up her shorts and delivering a Stinkface to Nia Jax during a live WWE event. This unexpected act quickly spread across social media, highlighting Ripley’s growing influence in wrestling entertainment.
Recently, Nia Jax, often called The Irresistible Force, spoke about this moment while appearing on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. Jax explained that the idea of performing the Stinkface originated from her, but Ripley’s improvisation in pulling up her shorts transformed the sequence into a viral hit.
“Well, I mean, it was my idea to Stinkface. It wasn’t my idea for her to get them freaking cheeks out. So obviously, that’s what I do. I do the Stinkface, and as a heel, I like to rub it in, literally. I just thought we were on the live event. I thought one night, let’s change this up.”
– Nia Jax, WWE Wrestler
Collaboration Behind the Viral Sequence
The creative exchange between Jax and Ripley added excitement to a Triple Threat match involving Shayna Baszler. Jax recalled encouraging Ripley to fully embrace the Rikishi-style Stinkface, which Ripley enthusiastically performed, delighting the audience and producing a standout moment that resonated both live and online.
“Why not? Because it was a cool Triple Threat moment, me, her, and Shayna [Baszler], and I was like, ‘Why don’t you give me a Stinkface?’ She’s like, ‘Really?’ She was like, ‘You mean like Rikishi-style?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, do the full Rikishi. Get it, get it!’ And then we did it. And obviously, like, the crowd went nuts, and then it was a viral moment, and yeah, and then we had a good time,”
– Nia Jax, WWE Wrestler
Top WWE Female Tag Team Champions in the Spotlight
Looking ahead to WrestleMania 42, Rhea Ripley, alongside partner IYO SKY, currently holds the Women’s Tag Team Championship titles. They stand as formidable champions defending their reign as competition intensifies.
Recently reunited, The Bella Twins have declared their intention to pursue tag team gold for the first time. Their surprise comeback occurred during the Women’s Royal Rumble 2026 and was followed by an announcement on the latest episode of WWE RAW, where they openly challenged the champions. This potential matchup could culminate in a headline encounter at WrestleMania 42.
Implications for WWE and Upcoming Events
Ripley’s viral moment with Nia Jax underscored her ability to innovate and engage fans, adding momentum to her growing legacy in WWE. Meanwhile, the brewing competition between The Bella Twins and Ripley’s team promises high stakes and heightened anticipation for WrestleMania 42, signaling a dynamic phase for the women’s division. As WWE continues to build storylines, fans can expect further dramatic encounters featuring these top performers.
