Adelaide pro wrestler Rhea Ripley completes WWE grand slam after epic smackdown at Wrestlemania 39

Adelaide’s Rhea Ripley is being called one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time after completing the “grand slam” of world titles. See the incredible pictures of her win.

Adelaide is officially Australia’s pro-wrestling capital after a legend-making moment for local export Rhea Ripley on the industry’s biggest stage.

Ripley is being called one of the greatest female wrestlers of all time after adding the prestigious WWE Smackdown Women’s Title to her already impressive resume.

It was the first Wrestlemania match in history to only feature women and Ripley was a predictable crowd favourite for the frenzied 80,000-plus fans at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.

The former Henley High School student defeated iconic WWE star Charlotte Flair, daughter of the legendary Ric Flair.

Rhea Ripley celebrates claiming the WWE Smackdown Women’s title from Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania. Picture: WWE

WWE legend Triple H with newly crowned Smackdown Women's Champion Rhea Ripley. Picture: WWE

Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair at Wrestlemania. Picture: WWE

Ripley earns an estimated US$250,000 as an annual salary from WWE but her net worth is now tipped to skyrocket as she becomes one of the most marketable personalities in wrestling.

The match was already a historic affair as the first in the event’s 39-year history to feature an all-female crew, including wrestlers, ring announcer and referee. It then turned into the longest women’s match in Wrestlemania history, lasting more than 23 minutes.

With the hype leading into the show focused squarely on establishing Ripley as the world’s top female professional wrestler, her performance was hailed as one of the greatest in Wrestlemania’s four decades as fans went berserk.

#MamiManiapic.twitter.com/wRJhbYDxud

— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) April 2, 2023

The South Aussie – better known to locals as Demi Bennett – told The Advertiser before Wrestlemania that a homecoming performance was now long overdue.

“I haven’t wrestled in Australia since my last match for Riot City (five or six years ago),” she said.

“I’m hoping WWE end up doing a show down in Australia where I can stay an extra week … I just want to go home and see everyone again.”

She said a recent personal visit home had been her first trip back in four years.

“I missed my family so much, I missed my friends so much and it was so lovely getting back and seeing them all even though it was for such a short time because my schedule is so busy I could only miss one TV (event),” she said.

WHAT. A. MATCH.@RheaRipley_WWE, this is your #WrestleMania moment.#AndNewpic.twitter.com/hesQZJhHGQ

— WWE (@WWE) April 2, 2023

Wrestlemania 39 WWE superstar turned Hollywood actor John Cena with Austin Theory. Picture: WWE

Ripley’s performance on Sunday was her fourth appearance at WWE’s blockbuster Wrestlemania and was widely expected to confirm she had reached the pinnacle of her sport.

Those prediction came true in spectacular form as Ripley and Flair’s nailbiting match stole the show.

Rhea Ripley gets the upper hand over Charlotte Flair as they grapple in the ring. Picture: WWE

Charlotte Flair leaps at Rhea Ripley at Wrestlemania in LA. Picture: WWE

Rhea Rhipley slams Charlotte Flair. Picture: WWE

Asked what it was that had driven two Adelaide pro-wrestlers to the top of their industry, Ripley said the answer could be in the Farmer’s Union Iced Coffee, Vili’s pies, or local tap water.

“I feel like because Adelaide’s smaller we all just knuckle down and get to it – maybe it’s something in the water, the iced coffee or the Vili’s pies,” she said.

Ripley isn’t the only South Aussie in LA living out their pro-wrestling dream at WWE’s flagship festival this weekend.

Rising star Bronson Reed, another Adelaide export whose real name is Jermaine Haley, told The Advertiser he would also be in LA for Wrestlemania, although he was keeping his cards close to his chest.

“I hope I can be a part of Wrestlemania in some capacity … but if not definitely at the Monday Night Raw in LA that same weekend,” Reed said.

Bronson Reed, real name Jermaine Haley. Picture: WWE

Reed agrees Adelaide is well overdue for a marquee WWE show too but said he’d love to see an iconic clash like the AFL Showdown in sports entertainment form.

Reed, a diehard Port Adelaide Football Club fan, said he would love to face off with Ripley – a Crows supporter – in the middle of the Adelaide Oval for a Showdown of their own.

“My dream is to have a huge event in Adelaide. You could centre it around myself and Rhea Ripley and I think it would work out really well because I know the Adelaide fans would come out.”

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Originally published as Adelaide pro wrestler Rhea Ripley completes WWE grand slam after epic smackdown at Wrestlemania 39