Rhea Ripley, WWE’s powerhouse and iconic “Mami”, recently opened up about a freak incident during her NXT days that left her with lingering lower-back trauma—an injury she feared could have ended her career for good.
The NXT Table Incident That Changed It All
During a high-octane match with Raquel Rodriguez on NXT, Ripley took a back-body drop onto the announce table—but they missed the mark. She crashed into the hard edge with full force. “Ever since that undershot table spot, my lower back never felt right,” Ripley confessed. She battled persistent back pain that often flared up, making every morning a struggle.
Walking on Eggshells Before WrestleMania
The pain peaked just before **WrestleMania 41** when Ripley feared she’d be sidelined. Her masseuse, Matthew, scrambled to her hotel room before and during Hall of Fame weekend to work miracles on her spine. Ripley credits those timely treatments for straightening her spine “just in time” to compete—and ultimately win the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
How She Fought Back—Literally
Ripley revealed the grind was both physical and mental: training legs daily, suffering a grade-three AC shoulder sprain, then a broken orbital bone. “2024 was brutal, but it taught me I can overcome pretty much anything in my path,” she said.
Today: A Stronger, Smarter Ripley
- ✅ Regular therapy and stretch sessions keep her aligned and mobile.
- ✅ Daily self-care routines combat wear and tear from intense matches.
- ✅ Psychological resilience: a determination sharper than ever.
Why This Matters for WWE Fans
If this broken-back moment had derailed Ripley’s career, the consequences would ripple across WWE storylines:
- Her iconic clashes at WrestleMania and subsequent main-card dominance.
- Her evolution into one of WWE’s most intimidating female stars.
- The deepening of rivalries with teams like The Judgment Day or Io Sky.
Ripley’s journey from near-catastrophe to championship glory—like her Royal Rumble win and history-making SmackDown Women’s Title—is proof she’s not just tough, she’s unstoppable.
Final Word
Rhea Ripley’s story is raw, real, and remarkably inspiring. That NXT table spot could have ended her career—but instead, it became her crucible. Today, she’s stronger, smarter, and more determined than ever. One thing’s for sure: WWE fans should never underestimate Mami’s comeback story.
