To build up to WrestleMania XL, WWE brought the action to Springfield, Illinois, where superstars like Rhea Ripley grappled in stunning encounters. She recently stole the center stage at Elimination Chamber with her exciting main event victory against Nia Jax. However, in tonight’s triple-threat match, Jax was trying to make her things right by getting second shot at the prestigious WWE women’s title.
She had a chance to alter the WrestleMania card by beating Mami, but Ripley emerged victorious once more and secured her place at the grand PLE event. Meanwhile, Mami’s brave ode to the legendary Rikishi left Jax embarrassed, but it drove fans crazy.
Rhea Ripley uses stink face on Nia Jax
Rhea Ripley extended her winning run at the “Road to WrestleMania” Live Event in Springfield, Illinois, where she prevailed in an exciting triple-threat match against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. Ripley’s win was expected since she has a title match coming up at WrestleMania, but it still made the crowd thrilled. At one point, she decided to inject a little humor into the serious battle by using the famous “Stinkface” maneuver, which served as a pure embarrassment for the Irresistible Force.
![Rhea Ripley](https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rikishi-rhea-ripley-442.webp)
In a nostalgic nod to wrestling’s golden era, Ripley delighted fans by channeling the legendary Rikishi during tonight’s WWE Live Event. The “Stinkface” is a signature move of WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi used in the late ’90s and early ’00s.
This is a humorous move and humiliating at the same time that has often left opponents reeling and recently Nia Jax in the process. The fierce triple-threat bout was elevated with a dash of nostalgia and fun because of her cheeky tribute to Rikishi.
Rhea Ripley’s tribute to Rikishi. pic.twitter.com/ORmZEYYJ99
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) March 24, 2024
After her recent humiliation of the former RAW Women’s champion went viral on social media, her shocking heel domination continued to attract spectators. Her meteoric climb to the top of the Women’s Division in WWE has garnered her a mountain of recognition. Even wrestling veteran Trish Stratus couldn’t help but praise her overpowering efforts.
WWE legend heaps praise on Rhea Ripley
After turning heel and becoming a member of The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley quickly rose to the ranks of wrestling’s elite. Following her victory at WrestleMania 39, she maintained her hold on the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship for over a year.
Whether she’s a villain or a champion, she’s been the Women’s Division primary fixture since the 2022 Royal Rumble. Legends in the wrestling industry have already gushed about her fearless personality, and now WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has joined in.
![Rhea Ripley](https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/trish-stratus-2-1024x576.webp)
The Eradicator has not yet crossed paths with former seven-time WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus, who returned to the promotion last year. But in a recent interview with Brioux TV, Stratus acknowledged Ripley’s dominance and honored her.
The Hall of Famer said, “Right now, I’m really loving Rhea Ripley. She’s in a whole other league. She brings so much and people love to hate her. When you’re a bad guy, but the crowd is loving you so much that they want to cheer you, that’s a special thing that you have that je ne sais quoi. She definitely has that. She’s worked really hard to be where she is right now and she’s on a great journey. ”
However, what are your thoughts on the Nightmare’s Tribute to Rikishi? Was it fun to see or too extreme? Share your opinion in the comment section.