In 2020, Rhea Ripley marked her WrestleMania appearance for the first time, notably, this was the only WrestleMania event held without an in-person audience owing to the condition of the WWE.
During a recent chat with the Toronto Sun, Ripley reminisced about the anticipation she felt, expecting the event to occur before a horde of Tampa-based fans. Quoting her:
“My anticipation was massive. I was moving around the stadium looking at every detail, heightening my excitement. I kept thinking, ‘my family’s coming’. But then, everything got closed down.”
Post-shutdown, Ripley acknowledged her mixed feelings, described as being “all over the place”, which led to WWE relocating operations to the Performance Center.
The well-known Australian Wrestler also revealed that her entrance felt unusually hurried as she couldn’t leisurely absorb the crowd’s enthusiasm as she was accustomed to.
Despite the setbacks, Ripley maintained a positive view of her WrestleMania 36 participation, branding it as a unique experience and one she may never again replicate. Her sentiments were,
“Despite everything, it was still enjoyable. It’s a memory etched in history that can’t be eradicated, by anyone or anything. I was part of the only WrestleMania with no live audience. I’ll relish this as a victory.”
In her debut, Ripley’s NXT Women’s Championship was seized by Charlotte Flair; this marked the only time an NXT Championship has been challenged at a WrestleMania.
Come WWE WrestleMania 41, Ripley is set to contend for the Women’s World Champion title against IYO SKY, featuring Bianca Belair in a Triple Threat match.