Rhea Ripley made her way to Las Vegas with a clear objective: to claim another world title. In the lead-up to WrestleMania 42, she addressed a deeply personal matter in front of a global audience, setting the stage for what would become one of the most anticipated matches of the night. As the WWE Women’s Championship bout against Jade Cargill approached, Ripley found herself at the center of growing speculation about her noticeable weight loss in the weeks prior to the event.
The Australian “Eradicator,” who previously listed her stats as 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds in 2023, responded to a social media post that raised concerns about her apparent loss of muscle mass ahead of her WrestleMania Night 2 matchup. A viral fitness Instagram video drew attention to her physique, prompting Ripley to step into the comments section and write, “Just a little eating disorder that I’m actively trying to handle,” adding a peace sign emoji directed at her critics.
Ripley later revealed that part of her motivation for going public was to offer support to others facing similar struggles. The WWE star also took the opportunity to clarify rumors that her weight loss was linked to cycling off prohibited performance-enhancing drugs.
- She expressed hope that other prominent figures would be more open about their own personal battles, citing high-profile personalities such as Victoria Beckham, Demi Lovato, and the daughters of Bruce Willis and David Bowie as examples.
- Supporters quickly rallied around her once the message was shared publicly, with many individuals expressing solidarity and sharing their own experiences.
- The responses ranged from words of encouragement to heartfelt stories from fans navigating similar challenges.
This all unfolded just days before one of the most significant matches of her professional career. Ripley earned her shot at the WWE Women’s Championship after winning the 2026 Women’s Elimination Chamber match, securing the right to face Cargill.
The championship bout was framed as a clash between seasoned expertise and raw athletic power. Cargill has used her physical advantages to position herself as the stronger competitor, successfully defending the title twice against Tiffany Stratton and Jordynne Grace during her 169-day reign.
Ripley countered by challenging Cargill’s perception of the industry, the WWE women’s division, and the path to reaching the company’s top. She spoke about the mutual lack of respect between the two competitors before their Sunday evening encounter.
“Every single year that I’ve walked into WrestleMania, I’ve walked in respecting that person, and they’ve walked in respecting me,” she said. “We definitely respect each other, what we do within that squared circle, and what we’ve done for this business.”
“This year kind of feels like, if I had to pinpoint it, there’s a lack of respect from both sides,” she continued. “She doesn’t respect me, she doesn’t respect this business, and I can see that, so I don’t respect her either.”
In the end, Ripley emerged victorious over Cargill, claiming the WWE Women’s Championship for the second time in her career. Her win not only solidified her status as a dominant force in the women’s division but also marked a personal triumph over the challenges she had openly discussed.
