10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (8 Nov)
6. Why Rhea Ripley Wets Her Hair Before Matches
You might've read that sub-heading and said, "...but loads of wrestlers wet their hair".
Yes, yes they do, and it's usually a case of wanting to look slick for the cameras or cool under the arena's bright lights. Rhea Ripley is a bit different. She only started wetting her hair before matches because it was bloody roasting backstage and she found that overheating was disturbing her focus before wrestling.
In an interview with Lilian Garcia's 'Chasing Glory' podcast, Ripley admitted that she was "dying backstage" due to the heat in Florida, and she needed to find something that'd cool her off. That's when she dipped her head under cold water, felt the benefits and never looked back. The wet hair look has since become a part of her act she can't imagine working without.
Next time you watch Rhea marching to the ring like some sort of wrasslin' Sarah Connor, just keep in mind that she's at an agreeable temperature. That's definitely an ongoing concern for pro wrestling fans in 2019. Definitely.