In the high-octane world of professional wrestling, where storylines blur with real life, few stars command attention like Rhea Ripley. The Australian powerhouse, known as “Mami” to her legions of fans, has been at the center of a swirling rumor mill lately—one that suggests she was secretly pregnant with her husband Buddy Matthews’ child during her time away from WWE before making a dramatic comeback. As whispers spread across social media and wrestling forums, it’s time to sift through the speculation, separate fact from fiction, and uncover what really happened.
Ripley’s WWE journey has been nothing short of meteoric. Signing with the company in 2017, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Champion and later capturing the NXT Women’s Championship. Her main roster debut in 2021 led to a dominant run, including a year-long reign as Women’s World Champion that ended abruptly in April 2024 when she vacated the title due to a legitimate shoulder injury sustained in a backstage brawl with Liv Morgan. Out of action for months, Ripley returned in July 2024, only to face more drama, including a betrayal by on-screen partner Dominik Mysterio. But behind the ring, her personal life added fuel to the fire. Married to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Buddy Matthews in June 2024 after dating since 2022, the couple’s union sparked endless curiosity about their future together.
The pregnancy rumor ignited in September 2024, right around the time fans noticed Ripley’s extended absence and began piecing together “clues.” Social media exploded with fake photos of her sporting a baby bump, alongside unverified claims from anonymous sources hinting she was expecting Matthews’ child. Some pointed to her marriage timing—just two months after the injury—as suspicious, while others speculated her WWE hiatus was a cover for maternity leave. Wrestling enthusiasts on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) debated fiercely, with posts questioning if her time off mirrored other wrestlers’ pregnancy breaks. The narrative gained traction amid broader discussions about family in wrestling, especially after Matthews himself confirmed in April 2025 that the couple plans to start a family someday, even joking about hoping for twins. Fans latched onto this, imagining a secret pregnancy hidden during her recovery.
But here’s where the rumor unravels: Ripley has repeatedly shut it down. In a candid November 2024 interview with Jazzy’s World TV, the 28-year-old star addressed the sacrifices of her career head-on. “I probably can’t have kids for the next five to ten years because I don’t want to have to bring them on the road and put them through that,” she said, emphasizing the grueling WWE lifestyle that keeps her away from home for weeks at a time. Motherhood, she explained, isn’t on the horizon yet due to the demands of constant travel and physical toll of performing. No official announcements, no baby bumps in sight—just a wrestler focused on reclaiming her spot in the ring. Her return to WWE Raw in November 2024, masked up and ready for WarGames at Survivor Series, further debunked the tale, as she dove back into feuds without missing a beat.
Why did this rumor catch fire so easily? Wrestling thrives on drama, and Ripley’s real-life romance with Matthews—a crossover from rival promotion AEW—adds an intriguing layer. The couple’s shared history in WWE (they overlapped briefly before his 2021 departure) and public displays of affection, like gym selfies and supportive posts, invite scrutiny. Add in the industry’s history of stars stepping away for pregnancies—think Becky Lynch or Sasha Banks—and it’s no surprise fans speculated. Fake images and clickbait headlines amplified the buzz, turning a simple injury recovery into a tabloid frenzy. Even as late as 2025, echoes persist on X, with users tying it to other wrestlers’ news, but Ripley fans fiercely defend her, calling out the misinformation.
Ripley’s resilience shines through this noise. She’s not just surviving rumors; she’s dominating them. Back in WWE, she’s teased potential storylines, including a possible on-screen romance with Matthews if he ever returns, proving her star power transcends personal gossip. As she eyes another title run, perhaps at SummerSlam 2025, one thing’s clear: Rhea Ripley isn’t slowing down for anyone—baby or not. The rumor may have been juicy, but the truth is even more compelling: a warrior prioritizing her craft while planning a future on her terms. In wrestling, where every absence sparks theories, Ripley’s story reminds us that sometimes, the real plot twist is just hard work and recovery.
