Rhea Ripley Reveals How WWE Pressure Led to Panic Attacks

Rhea Ripley might be known for being one of WWE’s most dominant forces, but even Mami admits that the pressure of the spotlight doesn’t always sit easy.

During her interview with Chris Van Vliet, Ripley peeled back the curtain on her mental health struggles—and revealed that panic attacks have followed her from her early days in the business all the way to the top of WWE.

Ripley reflected on her first major opportunity with WWE, competing in the Mae Young Classic at just 20 years old. Far from home and feeling the weight of expectations, the stress took a physical toll.

“I put so much pressure on myself that I gave myself pretty much a panic attack… which I do a lot unfortunately, but it’s just ‘cause I want to be bigger, and I want to be better, and I want to make people proud, and I just… I put it all on my shoulders, and sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.”

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Ripley explained that the nerves haven’t completely gone away, even as she’s climbed the ranks to become a Grand Slam Champion and the former face of The Judgment Day.

The Australian star admitted that pushing herself to constantly improve comes with consequences—but it’s also what’s driven her success. That same intensity that made her one of WWE’s most feared competitors is often what fuels her anxiety behind the scenes.

The comments offer a rare glimpse into the human side of Ripley, whose intimidating presence inside the ring has earned her the nickname “Mami” and a reputation as one of the toughest wrestlers in the world. But as Ripley made clear, even the toughest superstars wrestle with self-doubt and mental battles.

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