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If you haven’t heard of the 5-foot-7 nightmare that is Rhea Ripley, you might be living under a rock (no pun intended).

After her reign in one of WWE’s most dominant factions, The Judgment Day—where she became not only Dominik Mysterio’s self-proclaimed “Mami” but also half of TikTok’s—Ripley truly had “the whole world in her hands” (RIP Bray Wyatt).

But Ripley’s booking over the years has drawn mixed reactions from fans. Some say she’s a must-watch television star, while others say she’s been overexposed. So, is her success the result of sheer talent and timing, or is she simply one of Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s favorites, benefiting from the boss’s booking bias?

Let’s rewind, shall we?

In 2017, a then–20-year-old Demi Bennett—better known by her ring name, Rhea Ripley—made her WWE debut in the Mae Young Classic, a women’s wrestling tournament named in honor of the late, great Mae Young.

Although Ripley didn’t win either of the first two Mae Young Classic tournaments, the Australian native went on to sign with WWE as a full-time performer. She quickly made a name for herself in the short-lived UK version of NXT—WWE’s developmental brand—where she defeated Toni Storm to become the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Champion.

Ripley became one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars after shedding her “blonde rookie” image and reinventing herself as a hardcore powerhouse.

In a recent interview on WWE’s YouTube channel, Ripley reflected on her transformation from self-doubt to confidence, which ultimately inspired her signature look.

“I wasn’t feeling good about myself, my job, everything,” she said. “I had gone through a lot within the first Mae Young and the second Mae Young. It got to the point where I was like, ‘You gotta do this for you. You gotta be you, comfortable and confident in your own skin.’”

At first, Ripley was hesitant to show off her new style. During her early NXT days, performers with tattoos were required to keep them covered, and Ripley followed those rules carefully. But over time, she embraced her individuality and her ink. Today, she’s recognized for her bold punk-goth aesthetic, one that resonates deeply with fans (myself included).

I personally love the character that is Rhea Ripley. She’s worked so hard to become the dominant force she is today, and I couldn’t be prouder to call her one of my favorite wrestlers.

However, and I say this as a long-time fan, we don’t need her in every women’s championship storyline.

Ripley has accomplished more in seven years than most do in a lifetime. Her list of accolades includes the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Championship, the NXT Women’s Championship, the retired Raw Women’s Championship, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, and the Women’s World Championship twice. She also won the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble, becoming the first woman to win from the No. 1 entry spot.

There’s no question she’s cemented herself as one of the greatest wrestlers to ever step into the squared circle. But even the best deserve a breather, right? A pause would open the door for other talented women, like “The Pirate Princess” Kairi Sane, Zelina Vega, and Raquel Rodriguez, to finally get their time in the spotlight. Sure, they’re making waves in the mid-card, but they deserve main-event moments too.

Which brings up the question: Does Triple H know how to book women’s storylines that don’t revolve around Rhea Ripley?

A fan on X (formerly Twitter), @Physics_Wrestle, posted last year: “Idc [I don’t care] what anyone thinks ’cause imma stand on my opinion/FACT. Triple H overpushing Rhea as a superwoman is exhausting… like lord we can never take a break. How did she take out RAQUEL, NIA, AND LIV…”

And honestly, they’re not wrong.

We can’t blame Ripley entirely; she’s just doing her job. The real issue lies with the man holding the pencil. Triple H needs to pick up a better pen and craft storylines that showcase the full women’s division. There’s a roster full of women in the locker room eager to be taken seriously; they need the chance.

London Tyler, a senior political science major at the University of Martin and a fellow fan (though not as big as me, but I digress), shares a similar view.

“Rhea Ripley has been one of my personal favorites since NXT UK in 2018. She’s an incredible talent who’s earned every opportunity she’s gotten,” Tyler said. “Though I wish other women’s wrestlers were booked as strong as Rhea is, I don’t think she’s talentless or overrated at all.”

There’s no denying the magnetism Rhea Ripley brings to the ring. Fans across the globe love her, the swagger, the dominance, the aura. She’s a draw, and she moves numbers like few others can.

Still, there’s one uncomfortable truth: Triple H might be too greedy with his golden girl. Will his favoritism eventually be her downfall? Only time will tell.

Until then, Rhea Ripley will continue being the demon of our dreams.