Rhea Ripley. Picture: WWE.
WWE Hall of Famer Triple H believes the “sky’s the limit” for South Australian product Rhea Ripley after a stellar start to 2021.
The Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development identified the 24-year-old as a “game-changer” after making it to the final two in this year’s Royal Rumble match.
Triple H told The Inner Sanctum that Ripley and Rumble winner Bianca Belair are the stars set to take the company forward.
“To me, if you were to say ‘name me a breakout star right now’, and I would sit Bianca Belair in that same category, but she’s sort of there already doing it, but if I was to say who was that next person to step into those roles and really just (be a) game-changer, over the next year or two, it’s Rhea.
“She just has it written all over her, as does Bianca.
“There’s certain talent you just see it and it’s just a matter of how it unfolds, so the sky’s the limit.”
After winning the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Championship in 2018 and the NXT Women’s Championship just over 12 months later, Ripley’s career surged to new heights at the Royal Rumble and her ascension onto the main roster is now within reach.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio speculated that Ripley will join the Smackdown brand later this month alongside Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
The move could lead to a program with Flair after the pair battled for the NXT Championship at last year’s Wrestlemania, which Bleacher Report described as “one of the best matches on the card.”
To mark the occasion, Ripley shared a photo on her Instagram and Twitter accounts on Wednesday displaying a new hairstyle and an all-black attire including a leather jacket and boots.
While the impressive new look should turn heads when she debuts as a member of the main roster, Ripley’s commitment will be what sets her apart according to Triple H, who lauded her humility and willingness to get better.
“Where she is now to where she was a year ago, she’s just a different level of confident performer,” he said
“She brings so much to the table from a work ethic and attitude, an ability (and) she is a sponge for learning, she’s humble to it, she wants to learn, she wants to work with everybody.
“I can’t say enough good stuff about her.”
NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day streams live this Monday (15/2) from 11am AEDT on WWE Network.
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