Rhea Ripley's Rise in WWE
Rhea Ripley has emerged as one of the standout stars in WWE, particularly following her partnership with Dominik Mysterio, where she is affectionately known as 'Mami.' Her commanding presence in the ring continues to captivate audiences on RAW. Off the mat, her relationship with AEW's Buddy Matthews adds an intriguing dimension to her narrative. The couple exchanged vows in June of the previous year and have successfully maintained their relationship despite being part of rival wrestling promotions.
Buddy Matthews' Aspirations
In a recent chat on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Matthews expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of collaborating with Ripley in the future, should the chance arise. His comments were light-hearted yet filled with optimism, igniting interest among fans.
Concerns from Vince Russo
However, not everyone shares this optimistic view. Vince Russo, a former WWE writer, voiced his concerns on The Wrestling Outlaws segment on WrestleBinge, suggesting that such a partnership could be detrimental. He drew parallels to the well-known pairing of Marc Mero and Sable, indicating that Ripley’s rising star could overshadow Matthews, similar to how Sable eclipsed Mero in the late 1990s.
"My mind goes straight to Marc Mero and Sable," Russo remarked. "Without a doubt, Rhea Ripley would take on the role of Sable, while Buddy Matthews would be akin to Marc Mero."
The Challenges of Couples in Wrestling
Russo further elaborated that, based on his extensive experience, couples working within the same promotion often encounter more challenges than those who do not. He cited examples of past wrestling couples like DDP and Kimberly, Gangrel and Luna, and Chris Candido and Sunny, whose relationships reportedly struggled due to backstage politics and ego conflicts.
"I believe their relationship would thrive more if they were in different companies," he stated. "It would be significantly healthier for them."
The Reality of Wrestling Relationships
Interestingly, while Russo pointed out past relationship failures, there are also numerous high-profile WWE romances that ended without the couples working closely together. For instance, John Cena and Nikki Bella ended their engagement after a highly publicized proposal, and Charlotte Flair and Andrade recently finalized their divorce.
Whether Ripley and Matthews will ever join forces in the ring remains uncertain. However, if Russo's insights into the wrestling industry hold any truth, it may be wise for the couple to keep their personal and professional lives distinct for the time being.
