Rhea Ripley pays tribute to wrestling trailblazer Kristen ‘Miami’ Mitchell after her death

Adelaide wrestling juggernaut Rhea Ripley and the Australian wrestling community are in mourning after the death of an “irreplaceable friend and mentor”.

Adelaide’s Rhea Ripley (Demi Bennett) holds the title belt after defeating Charlotte Flair for the WWE Smackdown women's championship during WrestleMania this year. Picture: WWE

Adelaide wrestling juggernaut Rhea Ripley has paid tribute to fellow SA trailblazer Kristen ‘Miami’ Mitchell after her death, aged 36.

Ms Mitchell, who paved the way for SA’s women’s wrestling division, has been remembered as an “irreplaceable friend and mentor” to the entire Australian wrestling community.

Ripley, who returned to Adelaide recently following the death of her beloved nonna, shared a tribute to Ms Mitchell on social media on Tuesday morning.

“Thank you for the memories … rest peacefully,” Ripley wrote.

Members of the wrestling community have been left stunned by Ms Mitchell’s death, saying she would be remembered for “the kindness that was in her heart and the optimistic, sunny attitude that she always had” alongside her significant impact on the sport.

As an in-ring competitor for Adelaide’s Riot City Wrestling, Ms Mitchell was an instrumental figure in Riot City’s women’s division before moving to Melbourne, where she worked at Melbourne City Wrestling.

Kristen 'Miami' Mitchell, a stalwart of SA's women's wrestling scene, died this week. Picture: Twitter/WRA

Adelaide WWE wrestler Rhea Ripley paid tribute to Ms Mitchell on social media. Source: WWE

While in Melbourne, Ms Mitchell competed against some of the biggest names in women’s wrestling – including Ripley (Demi Bennett), KC Cassidy (Cassie Lee), Shazza McKenzie and Toni Storm.

Melbourne City Wrestling described Ms Mitchell as a “fierce, formidable and fearless” contributor who devoted time every week to a dedicated female class to inspire our young girls, teaching them everything she knew.

“Behind the scenes, Kristen’s contributions were irreplaceable,” they said in a statement.

“Leading the MCW Academy wearing many hats, a trainer, a mentor, she encouraged the next generation of talent to never give up and to follow their dreams.

“Our business, the entire Australian wrestling community, have lost a friend, a mentor, an irreplaceable person with an infectious smile, never ever giving up – “it’s a beautiful day to go after your dreams.”