Published: 1 hour ago by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: 1 hour ago by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
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Rhea Ripley heads to WWE Clash In Italy, with the Women’s Champion sharing a heartfelt message celebrating her late “Nonna.”
On May 31, WWE Clash in Italy sees Rhea Ripley defend the Women’s Champion against Jade Cargill, who she defeated to claim the title at WrestleMania 42.
The first WWE PLE to take place in Italy, the event has a bigger meaning for Ripley, who took to Twitter to reveal that she hopes to make her grandmother proud, as she visits the country that both her grandparents grew up for the first time.
Ripley shared:
“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy but never had the opportunity. This weekend I finally get to live that dream at #ClashInItaly!
“My Nonna was one of the most important and strongest people in my life. Going to the country where her and my Nonno grew up feels like I’m about to visit a home I’ve never had the pleasure to experience. I miss you every day!
“This one’s for you! I hope I make you proud when you look down on me. ❤️🇮🇹”
The post was accompanied by photos of Ripley’s Nonna, through the years, showcasing how close they were as a family.
A two-time WWE Women’s Champion, Ripley’s first reign ran for 380 days, tying with Bayley as the longest in the history of the title.
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy but never had the opportunity. This weekend I finally get to live that dream at #ClashInItaly! My Nonna was one of the most important and strongest people in my life. Going to the country where her and my Nonno grew up feels like I’m about to… pic.twitter.com/2N93eSgsmY
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) May 27, 2026
The Rise Of Ripley
Looking at Rhea Ripley today, she’s an entirely different entity to the star first introduced in the first Mae Young Classic back in 2017.
Gone is the bubbly persona that was all smiles, and in comes an arguably unique look, full of darkness and aggression, but still with the hopeful edge of her early years.
It was in the second Mae Young Classic that the new look was debuted, bringing that character to NXT UK and seeing her become that now-defunct brand’s first Women’s Champion.
Defining her trajectory in NXT UK, it came as little surprise that Ripley would head stateside, continuing her rise to title dominance on NXT before being called up to the main roster.
It would have been easy to cast Ripley in the role of the unstoppable monster, yet she has found a niche in which she can be the powerhouse she needs to be in the ring while also showcasing a range of emotions that has seen her equally adored and feared by friend and rivals. Her time in Judgment Day was, arguably, the moment that elevated Ripley to new heights, with Dominik Mysterio’s betrayal and alignment with Liv Morgan driving her forward.
A two-time WWE Women’s Champion and Women’s World Champion, Ripley has seen Women’s Tag Team Championship success with Nikki A.S.H (the recently released Nikki Cross) and IYO SKY, two characters that may have seemed at odds with her persona but gelled in a fluid way.
Ripley will enter WWE Clash in Italy as Women’s Champion, although Cargill has made it clear that she will be focusing on bringing that reign to an abrupt end this Sunday.
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