Rhea Ripley ‘collapsed’ in WWE catering last year: ‘My body was shutting down’
During a dark period in her life, Rhea Ripley suffered a panic attack backstage at a WWE show and “collapsed” in catering.
Ripley, appearing on the latest episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, opened up about how she’s learned to become less of a people pleaser and end friendships that are no longer working. There was a moment in time last year where Ripley had to cut a friend out of her life. On top of that, she was feeling a lot of self-imposed pressure at work surrounding Crown Jewel 2025 in her home country of Australia. It all boiled over with Ripley collapsing at the end of the Australia tour.
“The toughest time for me hit when we were in Australia,” Ripley said. “So I had that on my mind, I had the people pleaser in me trying to see everyone at home. I had me trying to please everyone in Australia because I felt like the face of Australia in WWE. So I was like, I take full responsibility for everything that’s happening here. I take responsibility for how I perform. I take responsibility for how these fans treat my peers. I took responsibility for too much, and I just wanted to make sure everyone was happy. And I was just at such a really low point. Even after — because we had the three shows, I had SmackDown, then we had Crown, and then we had Raw — by the time Raw was done, I like collapsed in catering.”
“It was bad. I had like a full panic attack and I just couldn’t — I hadn’t eaten, I hadn’t drank water, my body was shutting down, and I was probably the skinniest I’ve ever been. And I was just like dying.”
The “What’s Your Story?” episode was recorded prior to WrestleMania 42, where Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women’s Championship. Around that time, Ripley disclosed that she’s suffered from an eating disorder, which is triggered by stress and not feeling in control. She credited her husband Buddy Matthews for being a “strong point” who helps her through these struggles.
Rhea Ripley at WWE Clash in Italy —
This Sunday, a WrestleMania rematch will take place at Clash in Italy when Ripley defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Cargill. The bout is scheduled for the first hour of the PLE broadcast, which begins at 2 p.m. Eastern time and will be simulcast on ESPN.
Ripley has dedicated this match to her late grandmother who grew up in Italy.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy but never had the opportunity. This weekend I finally get to live that dream at #ClashInItaly!,” Ripley wrote. “My Nonna was one of the most important and strongest people in my life. Going to the country where her and my Nonno grew up feels like I’m about to visit a home I’ve never had the pleasure to experience. I miss you every day! This one’s for you! I hope I make you proud when you look down on me.”
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy but never had the opportunity. This weekend I finally get to live that dream at #ClashInItaly! My Nonna was one of the most important and strongest people in my life. Going to the country where her and my Nonno grew up feels like I’m about to… pic.twitter.com/2N93eSgsmY
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) May 27, 2026
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.