Backstage WWE Update On Main Roster Status Of Rhea Ripley And Damian Priest

Following their appearances at last night’s WWE Royal Rumble PPV, PWInsider reports that their respective Rumble showings served as the official full-time main roster debut of both Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest.

The duo were previously due to make the move from NXT to the main roster earlier in the year, but plans change, pal. Still, Ripley and Priest’s Royal Rumble appearances were part of formally moving the Nightmare and the Archer of Infamy to either Raw or SmackDown.

In terms of where this pair will land, that remains to be seen. The belief is that Priest was most recently pegged to become a Raw superstar, which could mean that we may see him on the red brand as soon as tonight. Purely speculation from your writer here, but Raw would also seem to be a better fit for Ripley right now, with the red brand's women's division desperately in need of some fresh faces.

As for how they fared on Sunday, Rhea Ripley entered this year’s women’s Royal Rumble match at the #14 spot, going on to eliminate seven wrestlers across a 39-minute stay that saw her come second to Bianca Belair in the contest.

For Damian Priest, he likewise turned up at the #14 spot over in the men’s Royal Rumble, throwing out four wrestlers in a 15-minute stint that was brought to an end by United States Champion Bobby Lashley. Both Ripley and Priest last appeared for NXT at the New Year’s Evil special back on 6 January.