"Unless they have real heat" - Rhea Ripley may have damaged Judgment Day story amid WWE injury hiatus, former AEW champion explains

WWE star and Judgment Day member Rhea Ripley recently tied the knot with AEW’s Buddy Mathews in real life. A former AEW Women’s World Champion has now commented on how that could affect Ripley’s storyline with Dominik Mysterio and Judgment Day.

Ripley was on top of WWE before she had to relinquish her Women’s World Championship due to an untimely injury. That did not only disturb the women’s roster, as Judgment Day too has been jolted by her absence.

During her time away from the WWE ring, Rhea Ripley married AEW star Buddy Matthews. While The Nightmare is shown to be in a relationship with her faction-mate Dominik Mysterio onscreen, it was surprising to see her go public with her marriage.

Talking about Ripley’s real-life marriage on Busted Open, former AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa noted that some remain private about their personal lives while others like to go public. However, that does not mean that the storyline is entirely ruined following Rhea Ripley’s big announcement.

"We're not in the 'super kayfabe' like we were in the 1980s or '90s. I feel like some people understand this as a work, and some don't understand it as a work," Rosa stated. "Kayfabe, I believe in some aspects, is almost dead unless they have real heat. Everyone handles their personal life differently. Some people love to put everything out [on display]. Others chose not to put everything out. I still think it's going to work. You can always have a side piece." [H/T - WrestlingInc.]

Thunder Rosa is an integral part of AEW’s women’s division. She knows how the business works inside out and noted that the angle could still work, especially once Ripley returns from injury.

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Judgment Day is waiting for Rhea Ripley’s WWE return

Cracks have formed within Judgment Day ever since The Nightmare has been out injured. At first, it looked like Finn Balor would betray Damian Priest to get a shot at his World Heavyweight Championship.

Instead, Liv Morgan won Rhea Ripley's title and has worked hard to create differences between The Judgment Day members. She seems to have some sort of secret understanding with Finn Balor, while on-screen, she is working hard to get to Dominik.

Fans are patiently waiting to see Rhea Ripley return to undo Liv Morgan's ongoing efforts to destroy Rhea and The Judgment Day and win back her title. The entire storyline is being built by WWE for The Nightmare's epic return sooner than later.