Rhea Ripley: It’s Hard Going On Twitter, It’s Negative Towards Me Even Though They Don’t Know Who The Hell I Am

Rhea Ripley comments on the online discourse she has faced throughout the course of her career.

Whether it’s Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media platform, the comments left by “fans” of pro wrestling have been targeted towards Rhea Ripley, whether it’s how she portrays her character on WWE TV or who she is off-screen when she is spending time with her husband, pets, and friends.

Recently, Ripley made an appearance where she spoke to Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle on Pod Meets World and opened up more about how she developed an eating disorder because of the horrible things said about her.

“It goes through waves where it’s really difficult and then sometimes really easy. This past year has been really difficult because I find that if my circle at home isn’t at peace, then that’s when I really struggle. That’s why I try to surround myself with people that I know are there for me and care for me. That’s my strong point. My husband [Buddy Matthews] is my strong point. My dogs are my strong point. My friend Tommy, who is always at our house every day, he’s my strong point. We work out together and it’s a positive environment. It’s really hard going onto Twitter. I need to delete that. It’s hard going on and trying to make it a work environment, but then, because it is a work environment, I get all these things coming up on my For You page. As soon as I click on the app, it’s negative towards me. I can’t even escape it or doomscroll like a normal human without seeing things about me, about my body, about my booking, about me as a human, even though they don’t know who the hell I am. It does get really tiring, but that’s also why I like to share what I’m going through.

“I tried to keep the whole eating disorder quiet for a while because I’m still figuring it out. I try to be as vocal with my struggles as possible because if it’s going to help someone, then why not talk about it? I needed that when I was going through stuff as a kid. If I knew my idols were going through these struggles and they are powering through and being amazing, and I look up to them and think they are strong and larger than life, then I can get through it too. That’s why I’m vocal about what I’m going through. With this whole eating situation, it definitely stems from stress and not being in control. That’s my biggest thing. I’m a very in control person. I like being in control of a lot of things. When I can’t control work and my schedule, and at the time, my home life with one of my now ex-friends just terrorizing my life. Going to Australia and not being able to control how the crowd responds to my peers and pressuring them 24/7 and getting thrown into all this media for that, it was a lot all at once, and it kind of broke me for a little bit, but it wasn’t seen by everyone yet. Now, it’s being seen by everyone. I saw so many things. ‘She had to lose weight because of her back pain.’ ‘She’s off the roids.’ We get tested. I’m not on anything.”

Ripley is set to challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42 on Sunday night.

h/t to Fightful for the transcription.