In March 2024, fans of WWE witnessed an extraordinary moment at a live show, which soon went viral on the internet. The event in Springfield, Illinois was part of WWE’s Road to WrestleMania tour and featured a diverse lineup of top-tier superstars. An impressive moment occurred with the current Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Ripley recognized for her intense personality and powerful performance in the ring, faced off against Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s World Championship. In the heated battle, Ripley performed a move in tribute to WWE icon Rikishi – the Stinkface. The crowd was left in awe as Ripley reversed Jax’s attempt to use the same move, ultimately delivering the Stinkface herself. But what did Rikishi think of this tribute?
Rikishi’s unexpected praise: an amusing reaction
In a recent chat with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley detailed Rikishi’s reaction to her unexpected homage. Despite not receiving a direct message from the WWE Hall of Famer, Ripley discovered that Rikishi had discussed the segment in an interview. He surprised me with his response, which was also flattering.
“I didn’t hear from him,” Ripley revealed. “But I saw that he did an interview & he mentioned it. And he said my butt was big, so that’s a plus.” This light-hearted comment from Rikishi added a humorous twist to the otherwise intense wrestling moment, highlighting his approval amusingly.
View this post on Instagram
The story behind the move: Nia Jax’s surprising influence
Interestingly, Ripley disclosed that the idea for her to perform the Stinkface came from her opponent, Nia Jax. In her interview, Ripley explained how Jax was more than willing to be on the receiving end of the infamous move.
“Kind of…I think Nia was pretty down for it, though. Nia wanted that Stinkface deep down inside. She wanted it [laughs], so I’m gonna say it was Nia’s idea. She gave me those eyes, you know?” Ripley recounted with a chuckle, adding an element of camaraderie and mutual respect between the two wrestlers.
Becky lynch’s strong disapproval: a critical viewpoint
Not everyone shared Rikishi’s humorous perspective on the incident. Becky Lynch, a former Women’s World Champion, expressed strong disapproval of Ripley’s decision to use the Stinkface. In an interview with Steve Fall, Lynch didn’t hold back her criticism, stating that such moves hark back to a time when female wrestlers weren’t taken seriously.
“That just sucks that we’re talking about that. You know, like when I think of the amount of women that were at one stage, fighting against that treatment, like, that was what they were forced to do in two-minute matches. Maybe I’m just like stuffy and jaded because this is the stuff that I had to fight against,” Lynch remarked, highlighting her frustration.
Lynch’s concern for young fans: the message being sent
Lynch’s criticism went deeper, as she voiced concerns about the impact such moves could have on young fans, particularly aspiring female wrestlers. She elaborated on how this could shape their perceptions of what it means to be a successful professional wrestler.
“Of course, everybody loves it, and it’s cool and it’s edgy. But if I’m a little girl sitting in the crowd, and if I have my daughter, and she’s seeing that and she’s thinking that that’s what she needs to be if she’s a professional wrestler. And that’s the stuff that’s getting a reaction and if I’m a girl who’s grown up and wants to be a professional wrestler. And I see, oh well that’s the stuff that gets a reaction,” Lynch explained, emphasizing the potential negative message being conveyed.
The ongoing debate: was Ripley’s move justified?
Lynch’s passionate comments have sparked a broader debate within the wrestling community. Fans and fellow wrestlers are divided on whether Ripley’s use of the Stinkface was a bold tribute or a step backward for women’s wrestling. The controversy adds a layer of complexity to Ripley’s image as a champion who isn’t afraid to push boundaries.
As the debate continues, it will be interesting to see if Becky Lynch’s strong opinions resurface in future encounters with Ripley. Could this disagreement set the stage for an intense rivalry upon Lynch’s return to the ring? Only time will tell.
Your thoughts: a divided audience
What do you think? Was it wrong of Ripley to use the move? The wrestling world remains divided, and your opinion matters. Let us know in the comments.
