The road to WrestleMania is never easy, but for Rhea Ripley, it almost ended before she could step through the ropes at Allegiant Stadium. “Mami” has revealed just how close she came to missing one of the biggest matches of her career due to debilitating back problems that threatened to sideline her championship aspirations.
Emergency Treatment Saves WrestleMania Dreams
During a candid interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley pulled back the curtain on her pre-WrestleMania struggles. The Judgment Day member’s back issues became so severe that she questioned whether she’d be physically capable of competing in Paradise, Nevada.
The situation became critical just days before the showcase of the immortals. Ripley had to bring in her masseuse Matthew for emergency treatment sessions leading up to the event.
“WrestleMania 41, I didn’t think I was going to be able to compete because my back was so bad leading up to it. The two nights beforehand, I got (my masseuse) Matthew to come to my room, and he worked on me the night before Hall of Fame and the night of Hall of Fame.”
Last-Minute Recovery Allows Championship Opportunity
The urgency in Ripley’s voice was clear as she described the desperate measures needed to get ring-ready. Her request to Matthew wasn’t about feeling comfortable – it was about basic mobility.
“I was like, I need you to make sure I can walk tomorrow. And he worked on me those two nights, and it loosened completely just in time for the match.”
The timing couldn’t have been more crucial. Ripley was set to challenge IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s World Championship in a Triple Threat match that also featured Bianca Belair – a golden opportunity that nearly slipped through her fingers.
Ongoing Battle with Persistent Pain
While the emergency treatment allowed Ripley to compete at WrestleMania 41, her back problems didn’t disappear after the final bell. The former Women’s World Champion admits the issues continue to plague her wrestling career.
“Then after the match, it was okay, and then, slowly, because I’ve been wrestling more, it’s just slowly tightens up, but that’s my fault as well.”
Ripley’s honesty about her own role in the problem shows the self-awareness that separates good wrestlers from great ones. She acknowledges that her stretching routine needs improvement to manage the condition properly.
Mystery Behind the Pain
The exact nature of Ripley’s back problems remains unclear, even to the wrestler herself. Her description paints a picture of someone dealing with unpredictable and potentially serious spinal issues.
“It gets really bad. I don’t know if it’s a sciatic thing or whatnot, or just my body in itself, the shape of my body and how I’m put together. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s something.”
The unpredictable nature of her condition adds another layer of complexity to her in-ring career. Some days are manageable, while others bring significant discomfort that could impact her performance.
Championship Ambitions Despite Physical Setbacks
Ripley’s resilience shines through her ability to continue pursuing gold despite these ongoing challenges. Her recent victory over Raquel Rodriguez at WWE Night of Champions on June 28 proves that physical limitations won’t derail her championship aspirations.
The Australian powerhouse has once again set her sights on championship gold, showing the determination that has made her one of WWE’s most compelling performers. Her willingness to work through pain while being honest about her limitations demonstrates the mental toughness required at the highest level of sports entertainment.
Ripley’s revelation about nearly missing WrestleMania 41 adds another chapter to her already compelling story. As she continues chasing championship gold while managing persistent back issues, will her body hold up under the demands of WWE’s grueling schedule, or could these problems force her to make difficult decisions about her wrestling future?
