Rhea Ripley underwent a stunning metamorphosis in WWE, going from a rookie with long blonde hair to the current Women’s World Champion with a goth twist. At first, facing the threat of being left off the list, Ripley decided to redefine herself authentically. What prompted this drastic change and why did she break from the conventional image expected of a female WWE star? From a happy-go-lucky blonde babyface to a fierce heel, Ripley’s evolution included a bold style change and the emergence of her alter ego, “Mami.” But not everyone initially agreed. Wrestling fans and critics were skeptical, only to see Ripley become WWE’s most viral star.
UPDATE: 2025/01/12 19:30 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA
Rhea Ripley is one of the best female wrestlers in WWE today. It’s a name that has evolved a lot over the years. When she debuted, she was a cheerful blonde who wore a very basic outfit. She was virtually unrecognizable compared to the competitor she is today. These days, Ripley’s look is gothic and dark, but at the same time manages to capture every aspect of who she is. Ripley is herself, unapologetically and authentically. She knows what suits her and continues to reinvent herself. With that said, let’s look at Ripley’s journey in WWE.
Rhea Ripley was originally another blonde in WWE
Rhea Ripley chose a confident look as a rookie
- Ripley began her career in WWE at the age of 20.
- She initially competed in the Mae Young Classic.
- She has wrestled in NXT UK and NXT.
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Rhea Ripley’s journey in WWE has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with her current status as the reigning Women’s World Champion marking a triumphant high point. However, that success was far from guaranteed when he debuted in NXT. In stark contrast to the intimidating force she is today, rookie Rhea Ripley showed up with long blonde hair and a persona that failed to resonate with WWE audiences. Facing the looming threat of being released multiple times, Ripley found herself at a crossroads. In a candid interview with The ringtoneShe openly admitted to being on the chopping block, highlighting the struggles she faced leading up to the decision to change her look. In another interview with Chris VanVliet, Rhea revealed why she initially had to comply with the norms. She said:
“Yes, so when I signed, I was 20 years old and I was very afraid of failing everything. I feel like there was a certain mold for the women’s division, and I felt like I had to fit that mold. So I kept my hair long, I hid behind it, it was like my security, but it wasn’t me. Ultimately, I needed to step out of my comfort zone a little to embrace the “me” that I’m meant to be.
How Rhea Ripley Completely Changed Her Look in WWE
Rhea Ripley went from a blonde babyface to “Mami”
- Ripley began wearing more grunge and gothic clothing.
- His appearance brought more changes as a member of The Judgment Day.
- Ripley’s outfits also highlight her tattoos.
Rhea Ripley’s transition from a blonde babyface to a dominant heel with a distinct goth style marked a pivotal moment in her WWE journey. The metamorphosis extended beyond a simple change in appearance, encapsulating a complete reimagining of his character. Ripley’s decision to shed her long blonde locks for a sleek, jet-black hairstyle was a symbolic departure from her earlier persona. The change in her equipment speaks volumes about the new attitude she has adopted. Swapping long pants for bold shorts and donning a black studded ensemble, Ripley’s attire reflected her evolving personality.
As she embraced her heel persona, Ripley added a touch of sensuality to her character, coining the self-proclaimed nickname “Mami”. This personality change wasn’t just about adopting a different look; it was about embodying more assertive and unapologetic behavior. Ripley’s journey into the villainous Doomsday faction further solidified her transformation, making her the only female member of the faction and ultimately its leader. In an insightful interview on Corey Graves After the bell podcast, Ripley shared:
“I’ve wanted to cut my hair for a long time, but I was so scared. It’s such a scary thing, I always use my hair to hide behind it, but one of the PC guys told me: ” I think you would.” rock short hair. Do it. And I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll do it.’ So I cut my hair, and little by little it got shorter every week on each NXT show, it got shorter and shorter, but I think I finally started to accept who I was. and to no longer worry about what others thought of me.”
She addressed the previous directive to wear long pants, hiding her many tattoos, and explained her decision to switch to tight shorts, proudly showing off her ink. This decision added a layer of authenticity to his character, breaking from the conventional mold and connecting more intimately with the audience.
Rhea Ripley battled criticism for her appearance
Rhea Ripley is real with herself
- Some fans criticized Rhea Ripley’s appearance.
- Rhea is one of the most viral WWE Superstars online.
- Ripley has no desire to look generic.
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Rhea Ripley’s bold transformation not only changed her appearance but also sparked discussions and raised eyebrows among a section of wrestling fans and industry critics. The radical shift from a conventional blonde look to a dark gothic style sparked skepticism about whether such a departure from the norm could resonate with audiences.
However, Ripley’s metamorphosis wasn’t just a personal reinvention; it was a strategic decision that propelled her into the spotlight. She silenced the doubters by becoming one of the most viral stars in recent WWE history. Her looks, character and antics have propelled her to social media stardom, with her TikTok account skyrocketing. Responding to criticism, she tweeted a hilarious comeback, boosting his confidence in the transformation.
“But I should get rid of all the ‘dark’ ‘goth’ makeup and look like a generic human…no, I’m GOOD! »
Rhea Ripley constantly makes adjustments that work
Rhea Ripley is the biggest star in WWE’s women’s division
- Ripley is a multiple time WWE Champion.
- She is the reigning WWE Women’s World Champion.
- Ripley regained her title from Liv Morgan on the first Raw on Netflix.
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Despite what the skeptics said, Ripley continued to be herself and it certainly showed in her presentation. Her look has become instantly recognizable, which truly sets her apart from the other names on the list. An example of this was Survivor Series 2024 when she showcased this incredible horned mask in her WarGames match. This was something she had never done before, but it was something that worked really well for her. This proves that she knows what works for her character.
From her debut in WWE until today, she has totally reinvented herself and become one of the biggest WWE stars in the entire company. She is a multiple time WWE Champion and has participated in some of the best matches in company history. Ripley has spoken openly about how she evolved in WWE. She said in an interview with The Wrestling Classic:
“Every year that goes by, you can see me getting a lot more confident and comfortable in my own skin. It’s not even a WWE thing, it’s like a real life thing. I’m growing up.” (h/t Wrestling Inc.)
It’s good to see that Ripley continues to feel more and more comfortable in her role each year. She is a top talent and will continue to take over the company, as she is the Women’s World Champion once again.
