WWE veteran Vince Russo recently expressed strong frustration with how Rhea Ripley’s character has been managed, placing part of the blame on backstage legends like The Undertaker. Russo believes Ripley is damaging her own persona by neglecting the boundaries of her character portrayal, and he argues that established figures in the industry should intervene to guide her.
During a recent WWE RAW episode, after Ripley was attacked by Asuka—who sprayed her with poison mist post-match—Ripley was later seen posting carefree pictures on social media. This disregard for the ongoing storyline and kayfabe angered Russo, who feels such actions negatively influence how fans perceive Ripley’s character and diminish her impact.
Russo shared his thoughts on his podcast Writing with Russo:
“This is the part of the business that really bothers me. Bro you got a guy like Undertaker there. Why doesn’t Undertaker take Rhea Ripley to the side and say Rhea, you have got a great character. Mami on top. You have got a great look. You have got great music. You want people to view you a certain way. If anybody knows that, it’s me. Lay off that stuff.”
Vince Russo Unimpressed with Recent Rhea Ripley Segment
Russo also expressed disappointment regarding a recent segment where Ripley was attacked by Asuka after Asuka’s heel turn. He stated that the moment failed to create a strong reaction among the audience, especially considering the match took place in Evansville, Indiana, a location Russo described as lacking major wrestling events.
On the Legion of RAW show, he explained:
“I don’t care what anybody says. By the time you got to that last match and the heat and all that, nobody cared. And you’re in Evansville, Indiana, where there’s nothing going on. Like this is probably the biggest thing all month, of the year. That last match, nothing. They could have cared less. Kairi is turning on this one and that one is turning on that. Who freaking cares? So now we got a big tag match?”
This sentiment highlights the larger concern that ongoing storylines, involving Ripley and others, are not capturing audience interest as intended.
Potential Consequences and What Fans Can Expect
Given Russo’s pointed criticism, the spotlight is now on WWE to address these perceived flaws in Rhea Ripley’s character development. His comments suggest that without backstage guidance, such as from veterans like The Undertaker, the quality of her presentation and audience connection may suffer.
Fans will have to watch closely how WWE manages Ripley’s trajectory moving forward, especially as storylines involving her evolve. Ensuring that her character maintains credibility and resonates with the audience could be crucial to revitalizing interest in her segments and securing her position as a prominent WWE superstar.
