This week’s WWE NXT featured a shocking moment involving Rhea Ripley, who made a special appearance to support new star ZARIA. During the episode, Ripley delivered a heartfelt speech to the crowd, returning to her roots and showing support for NXT’s rising talent. However, drama unfolded backstage before the main event as Women’s World Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were spotted wielding baseball bats, seemingly on the hunt.
The segment intensified when Ripley was shown lying beside her car, appearing to have a head wound with blood pouring out. Although the blood was later confirmed to be fake, it stirred a mix of reactions within the NXT team. According to Corey Brennan of Fightful, some members of NXT voiced concerns about the graphic nature of the segment. However, the decision to air the scene with Ripley’s injury was approved by “a higher power” within the brand.
Approval by WWE Leadership for the Rhea Ripley Segment
Brennan reported that the green light for this dramatic segment likely came from influential figures within WWE, such as HBK (Shawn Michaels), Triple H, Lee Fitting, or even a CW executive. The decision to include the intense visual was clearly strategic, adding drama to the storyline between Ripley, Morgan, and Rodriguez. This segment underscores WWE’s willingness to push boundaries in storytelling, even as it spurs internal discussion.
What This Means for Rhea Ripley’s Future in WWE
The segment involving Ripley has left fans speculating on the direction of her ongoing feud with Morgan and Rodriguez. Ripley’s presence on NXT and willingness to embrace high-stakes segments point to her pivotal role in WWE’s evolving storylines. Her participation in such intense angles could suggest that WWE is aiming to incorporate more mature, dramatic elements into their programming, especially with the transition to The CW.
Conclusion
Rhea Ripley’s graphic backstage scene on WWE NXT this week has sparked internal debate, showing WWE’s dedication to intense storytelling. With Ripley’s future intertwined with rising stars like ZARIA, fans can expect more high-impact moments as these narratives unfold.