10 Fascinating Backstage WWE Facts About Rhea Ripley
3. Beth Phoenix Helped Her Get Into Judgment Day
It might seem like a lifetime ago now, but the early incarnation of Judgment Day looked very different to how it does now.
The faction was initially formed by Edge when he recruited Damian Priest at WrestleMania 38. Ripley joined shortly thereafter, but it was only after Finn Balor helped kick Edge out that the stable as it is today began to take shape.
Rhea was a natural fit for the group, already possessing the grungey exterior need to fit its spooky vibe. Also, as a female, she added some depth to their numbers, allowing the unit to branch out into an entirely different area of the roster.
In an interview with WWE’s The Bump (H/T to PWTorch), Edge’s wife Beth Phoenix revealed that it was she who put in a good word for Mami.
“‘Who do you think of the female roster who could really benefit from having a bigger platform?'” Mrs. Copeland was reportedly asked by her husband. “'Who has all of that talent but just hasn’t had the opportunity to shine in a big way?'”
Phoenix suggested the young woman from Oz, and the rest is history.