Rhea Ripley, who is a former NXT and NXT UK Women's Champion and one of the fastest rising stars ever in the history of the company, recently appeared as a guest on Renee Paquette's Oral Sessions podcast to promote her WrestleMania 37 Match against RAW Women’s Champion Asuka.
During the podcast, Ripley talked about who inspired her to become the dominant performer that she is today, to which Ripley said former WWE Divas Champions Beth Phoenix and Kaitlyn. Ripley also said how sad she was that she didn't get an opportunity to face Kaitlyn in NXT.
Ripley said, “So, Beth was definitely, like, a big one. I love Kaitlyn as well, just ’cause she was so different.” “After meeting her in the Mae Young [Classic], she was super cool. She is such a great human. “I was very sad when she didn’t come back ’cause I was like, yay, maybe I can wrestle her in NXT. But, no.”
Rhea Ripley then talked about the similarities and differences of how NXT and the WWE main roster run their programs.
Ripley said, “To be honest, when I was in NXT, looking at Raw and SmackDown, I felt like we were on par, and everything was the same.” “When I came here [to the main roster], there are some things that are different, like, I’m not gonna lie, there are some things that are different, but there is a lot more stress, I feel. We have less leniency."
“But what I feel like NXT is doing is so amazing. I love watching NXT and watching the women do what they’re doing. I am so proud of all of them and how far they’ve come. Honestly, I can’t wait for all of them to come to Raw and SmackDown so I can wrestle them again. I miss my friends.”
Ripley then said she is glad more Women's Matches were added to WrestleMania because they deserve it.
Ripley said, “I felt so bad for everyone. Like, I can’t believe they were going to leave that off the show.” “I’m so glad that it got added because the women in the women’s division deserve so much. They’ve worked so hard for so long. To not put them on WrestleMania, it’s sort of a kick, you know? It’s not nice. So, I’m glad it got added ’cause they deserve it.”
