One year after losing the NXT Championship to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36, Rhea Ripley had redemption at WrestleMania 37.
Ripley entered Raymond James Stadium as the challenger, but walked out as the new Raw Women's Champion, having defeated Asuka in the co-main event of night two.
Speaking to Scott Fishman of TV Insider, Ripley reflected on the moments before walking down the ramp and seeing Edge just before she walked out.
"It was crazy walking through the curtain and seeing the crowd and how excited they were. All my dreams were coming true. It was something I worked toward for a long time. I was trying to hold it all together, telling myself, “Don’t cry.” Then I looked over to Edge near me, and he had tears in his eyes. He nodded at me and winked. I just lost it. I could not hold it together. Then I saw this fan in the front saying, “Hey Rhea! You got this. You’re going to kill it” — giving me this pep talk. Next thing I know, I’m being shown on the big screen," she said.
After winning the Raw Women's Title and walking back through the curtain, she was greeted by Vince McMahon.
"One of the big ones was talking to Vince McMahon afterward, hearing him say “well done” and that I did great. It was so surreal. It’s a dream, and I’m living it. To have the big bossman say well done was pretty insane to me," she recalled.
Ripley had an up-and-down year after losing to Charlotte at WrestleMania 36, going back to NXT to engage in feuds with Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez.
When asked about the best piece of advice given to her recently, Ripley said, "It was Paul Heyman who said to me, “You can stay humble, but don’t stay silent.” That really hit me because I’m a very humble person. I do my job and do what I’m told. Sometimes that isn’t the best way to do things. I will take that advice with me as I keep working."
Ripley and Asuka engaged in a rematch on the Raw after WrestleMania, but the bout ended in a DQ when Charlotte Flair got involved.
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