Rhea Ripley is a former NXT Women's champion (Image credit: WWE)
Charlotte Flair shocked the world by challenging Rhea Ripley ahead of WrestleMania 36.
Flair had the chance to fight either of the top women on Raw or SmackDown. However, the WWE legend decided to take on NXT women’s champion Ripley.
The Australian has been on a meteoric rise in recent months and won the title by defeating Shayna Baszler.
Ripley only recently won the NXT UK women’s title and her rapid rise is a thing to marvel at. However, the 23-year-old was speaking ahead of her clash against Charlotte and wanted the comparisons with the legend to stop.
“When I first came to WWE, everyone would say that I looked exactly like Charlotte, ‘Oh, she’s a mini Charlotte’”.
“For my entire career here, I have been trying my best not to be compared to her. Yeah I want to be a superstar, but I also want to be myself”.
Ripley also spoke about Charlotte’s dad, Ric Flair, and one of his greatest sayings:
“Ric [Flair] used to say, ‘To be the man, you gotta beat the man’, which means to be the best, you have to beat the best.”
“Charlotte Flair is considered as one of the best in the business.”
The NXT champion added that she wasn’t sure of what or how things would take place but was confident of coming out on top.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but I know this place is going to erupt.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best. And I am going to beat the best to be the best.”
Ripley also spoke about her upbringing in Australia and how she wanted to come into WWE.
The 23-year-old has been impressive at NXT and it will be a real test for her against Charlotte at WrestleMania.
This would also be the first time an NXT belt is defended on WrestleMania, which goes to show that the Black and Gold brand is rising up fast.
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