In the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, where scripted drama often blurs into real-life intrigue, AEW star Buddy Matthews has ignited a firestorm by issuing a pointed warning to WWE’s Jey Uso and his wife. The controversy erupted after fans spotted Rhea Ripley, Matthews’ wife and WWE’s dominant Women’s World Champion, traveling solo with Uso, sparking whispers of a connection that transcends their on-screen chemistry. Matthews, never one to shy from confrontation, dropped a cryptic message hinting that their bond might be “more than just business,” leaving the wrestling community buzzing with speculation.
Ripley and Uso’s flirtatious dynamic has been a fan favorite since last year, when Uso playfully invited her to a Waffle House date amid her storyline fallout with Dominik Mysterio. That kayfabe tension evolved into mutual support, with the duo “yeeting” together on WWE programming and exchanging social media teases that fueled romance rumors. Fast-forward to recent weeks, and photos surfaced of them jetting off alone—perhaps for a promotional tour or personal downtime—prompting eagle-eyed fans to question the optics. Jey Uso, the charismatic “Main Event” star and family man married to Takecia Travis since 2015, has two sons and a rock-solid personal life, yet his on-screen charisma with Ripley has fans shipping “Jhea” harder than ever.
Enter Buddy Matthews, the House of Black enforcer whose real-life romance with Ripley is the stuff of wrestling fairy tales. The couple, both Australian powerhouses, went public in 2022 after overlapping in WWE, tying the knot in a private ceremony in June 2024. They’ve shared workout videos, pizza dates, and heartfelt posts about their unbreakable bond—Matthews once gushing that he’s “married my best friend” and needs only her, a slice, and a horror flick to be content. Despite working for rival promotions—Ripley dominating WWE while Matthews thrives in AEW—they’ve navigated the challenges with mutual support, even collaborating against common foes in non-competitive settings. Ripley has credited Matthews for understanding her grueling schedule and storyline entanglements, like her past “Mami” persona with Mysterio, emphasizing their real trust as the foundation.
But this latest incident has tested that foundation. Matthews’ message, posted on social media and quickly dissected by outlets, directly addresses Uso and his wife, urging boundaries amid the perceived overfamiliarity. “Keep it business, or keep it away,” he implied, with the “more than just business” jab cutting deep into the heart of wrestling’s blurred lines between performance and reality. Fans and insiders speculate it stems from jealousy over the duo’s chemistry, which has drawn massive engagement—Uso’s flirty segments with Ripley even prompted AI-generated images and viral memes that “threw gasoline on the fire.” While Ripley has dismissed past rumors, liking tweets that poke fun at potential dates with Uso, her husband isn’t laughing this time.
The wrestling world thrives on such narratives, but this feels personal. Matthews has previously shut down cross-promotion drama, like reacting to Ripley’s on-screen antics with Mysterio, yet he’s expressed openness to WWE storylines reuniting them professionally. Rumors of his AEW re-signing quelled hopes of a WWE jump to join Ripley, but incidents like this highlight the strain of their divided careers. Uso, meanwhile, has stayed mum, focusing on his World Heavyweight Championship pursuits and family, but the shadow of this warning looms large.
As WWE gears up for major events like WrestleMania 41, expect this triangle to play out in subtle ways—perhaps a heated promo or alliance shift. Ripley’s aura remains unmatched, drawing crushes from fans and stars alike, but Matthews’ protective stance underscores a key truth: in wrestling’s chaotic ring, real relationships demand vigilance. Whether this escalates to a crossover feud or fades as mere hype, one thing’s clear—the “Eradicator” and her enforcer hubby won’t let interlopers encroach without a fight. The mat is set for more twists, and fans are ringside for the fallout.
