Rhea Ripley opens up about her WrestleMania match being Vince McMahon's idea [Exclusive]

Rhea Ripley has had an incredibly impressive year in WWE. From holding the NXT UK Women's Championship to dethroning Shayna Baszler and becoming the NXT Women's Champion - recording victories over the likes of Sasha Banks and Charlotte along the way - the 23-year-old can no longer be described as a prospect or an up-and-comer. Rhea Ripley is undoubtedly a star.

That opinion seems to be one shared by Triple H, Paul Heyman, and even Vince McMahon, with Triple H confirming recently that Ripley's match with Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania came from the very mind of one Mr McMahon!

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rhea Ripley and asking what it means to have the powers that be in WWE have such faith in her ability.

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Triple H recently said the decision for you vs Charlotte at 'Mania was Vince McMahon's idea. How does it feel to know that the people at the very top, like Triple H and Vince McMahon, have such faith in you?

It's insane to think that all the higher-ups think so highly of me, especially coming from Adelaide, Australia to now being a part of WWE and having people like Triple H - who was the reason I started wrestling - to have him and Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman actually enjoy what I'm doing and believe in me - it's a wonderful feeling, and I don't know how to put it into words. It just makes me feel very special and proud of how far I've come in this business - and how much work, time and effort, blood, sweat and tears I've put into this.

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Catch WWE NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley on BT Sport, the new home of WWE. Watch WWE NXT on BT Sport 1 every Thursday at 1 am or catch up on the BT Sport App.