Rhea Ripley names her WWE role model.
Former NXT UK Women's Champion Rhea Ripley surprised the NXT universe on Sept. 4 when she stepped to current NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler. Much like Baszler, Ripley is a no-nonsense superstar who lets her actions speak for her. Despite her tough attitude, Ripley also wants to be able to hold her own on the stick as well.
"I love The Miz! I absolutely love him," Ripley told Revolver, pointing to the WWE Superstar as a key role model. "He's so snarky and that's who I want to be. I want to have cool comebacks and get people to listen to me and be invested in me. Even CM Punk — when he spoke, everyone listened."
As far as influences from the past go, Ripley names Beth Phoenix as someone she admired when growing up.
"My whole life I've had people telling me that I look like a man, I'm not feminine, I'm too masculine, all that stuff," says Ripley. "Well, you know what? I could not give a shit. Just like I was inspired by [former WWE champion] Beth Phoenix, who also looks very masculine, I want to inspire other potential female athletes to go as hard as they want and feel comfortable in their own skin — that's why I go out there day after day and do my thing."
Ripley is set to face Baszler in singles competition on the Sept. 11 episode of NXT.
