As WWE’s WrestleMania 42 approaches, one of its biggest stars is making headlines not just for her in-ring prowess, but for her powerful stance against online toxicity. Rhea Ripley, the 29-year-old Australian powerhouse from Adelaide, South Australia, is set to challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship on April 18. However, in the lead-up to the marquee event, Ripley has been forced to publicly address a barrage of body-shaming comments from a segment of the wrestling fanbase.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, Ripley recently posted a message directly confronting critics who label her as “too manly,” “too bulky,” and “too muscly.” The former two-time WWE Women’s World Champion challenged the anonymity of her detractors, writing, “Too manly. Too bulky. Too muscly. Too much… for who? I’d love to see you say it to my face.” This public rebuttal has sparked widespread discussion among fans and media, with many rallying to support the wrestler against what they see as unjustified personal attacks.
The controversy comes at a pivotal moment in Ripley’s career. Fresh off a victory in the 2026 Elimination Chamber match, she earned the right to face the reigning champion, Jade Cargill, on wrestling’s grandest stage. The build-up to their match took a dramatic turn on the March 20 episode of SmackDown, where Ripley was the victim of a brutal 3-on-1 beatdown. WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill was joined by an unexpected alliance with Michin and B-Fab, who seemingly formed a new faction to target “The Eradicator.”
This physical assault on television has raised concerns about Ripley’s condition heading into WrestleMania. Reports from just days ago indicated Ripley showed off a graphic injury following the hard-hitting SmackDown match, fueling speculation about her health as the company moves toward its major spring events. Despite this, the official WWE preview for the March 27 SmackDown asks, “How will Rhea Ripley respond to B-Fab and Michin’s new allegiance to WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill?” suggesting the storyline is in full swing.
The online feud between Ripley and Cargill has also been a focal point. According to a report from MSN, the “Twitter beef” between the two is “reportedly a work that’s also a shoot,” indicating that while the conflict is part of the scripted WWE narrative, it incorporates elements of legitimate locker room dynamics. Cargill herself issued a strong message to Ripley following the Elimination Chamber victory, intensifying the pre-WrestleMania hype.
Amidst the storyline drama and social media firestorm, questions about Ripley’s physical appearance have persisted in some corners of the internet. Fan discussions on Reddit have ranged from supportive to critical, with threads speculating about her weight and physique. Some comments, now heavily criticized by other fans, insisted she looked “smaller” or different, leading to the broader conversation about the inappropriate scrutiny of female athletes’ bodies.
Ripley, whose real name is Demi Bennett, stands at a billed height of 5-foot-7 and weighs 137 pounds, according to her official WWE profile. She is recognized for her signature moves, the Riptide and Prism Trap, and is one of the most prominent figures in the women’s division. Married to fellow wrestler Buddy Matthews, Ripley resides in Orlando, Florida, and trained at the WWE Performance Center after beginning her career on June 22, 2013.
As WrestleMania 42 draws near, all eyes will be on Rhea Ripley. Her response to the recent attack, her championship aspirations against Jade Cargill, and her continued defiance against online critics define a crucial chapter in her career. Whether she can overcome the odds—both in the ring and in the court of public opinion—remains one of the most compelling narratives in sports entertainment today.