The WrestleMania stage is the pinnacle for any budding wrestler, but this years addition is going to be unlike any other that have come before.

Instead of walking down the ramp and climbing into the ring in front of thousands of screaming fans, this years wrestlers are going to enter their fights with no fans in attendance.

READ: WrestleMania 36 ultimate guide

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, sporting organisations have been forced to shut up shop until the spread of the virus slows down. The WWE however remained steadfast in its pursuit of going ahead and made radical changes to ensure the safety of its personnel.

The marquee event was moved away from Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium and for the first time ever will take place across two gripping days.

But no matter what changes may have taken place, the excitement of performing under the bright WrestleMania lights remains. And with millions of eyeballs expected to tune in, fans in Australia have extra reason to get on board.

From humble beginnings in Adelaide, Rhea Ripley is set to continue her history-making ways when she steps out to take on WWE women’s legend Charlotte Flair.

Ripley, born Demi Bennett, walked into Riot City Wrestling back in 2013 and had one goal in mind, to make it to the big time and land on the WWE roster.

After being “broken hearted” on that very first day, Ripley now finds herself just moments away from stepping out onto the biggest stage of her young career.

“I’m super pumped even though it’s going to have zero people in attendance there’s still millions of people watching from home and that’s special enough for me,” Ripley told news.com.au.

While others have adjusted to the new way of life inside the ring without the sounds of fans, Ripley hasn’t yet experienced it first-hand but knows it’s going to be a weird feeling.

“I haven’t experienced it yet, but I’m sure it’s going to be very strange and weird because we do feed off them a lot and it does rev us up and keep us going, so it’s going to be very strange not having any sound whatsoever around,” she said.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a stellar rise over the past six months which has seen her elevate into the upper echelon of female stars on the WWE roster.

It all began late last year when Ripley helped lead Team NXT over Team Raw and Team Smackdown in a 5-on-5 elimination match before she made history by toppling the dominant Shayna Baszler to claim the NXT championship.

Defeating Baszler tops the list of highlights over the past 12 months for Ripley as it represented so much more than just one single fight, it was everything she had worked for and showed she belonged on the big stage.

“The last six months of my career has been a rollercoaster of emotions really, it’s just been so uphill and I’ve had to get used to it,” she said.

“I’ve been thrown in the deep end and I feel like I’m swimming pretty well. It’s definitely been stressful at times but it has been so rewarding at the same time.

“I just feel like the most special time for me was definitely winning the NXT Women's Championship against someone that claimed to be unbeatable in Shayna Baszler.

“That was like something for me that I had worked for, for so long and to be that person that was trusted in that position makes me very proud and happy that everyone is behind me and everyone thinks that I’m doing what I’m doing really, really well. “

But that wasn’t the end for Ripley who wanted to set herself an even bigger challenge. Thankfully it presented itself in the form of 2020 women’s Royal Rumble winner and WWE women’s great, Charlotte Flair.

Ripley threw down the gauntlet which Flair accepted, meaning for the first time ever the NXT title will be on the line at WrestleMania. Just another piece of history being attached to Ripley’s name.

“She’s made a lot of history in this company and I do like a challenge. She thinks she’s the top dog of this entire company so I’m going to go after one of the best,” she said.

“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best.”

Of course the lead up to WrestleMania has been heavily impacted thanks to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and without being able to visit her happy place, the gym, Ripley is making her isolation arrangement work.

“I want to be the absolute best at what I do and I thrive at the gym, the longer I’m there the happier I am,” she said.

“Which is why it’s so weird now not having to go to work and not having a gym that’s open because I’m like what do I do with myself.

“I cleaned my entire house so thoroughly to the point were I was sweating, that was my workout.”



As she gets set for the biggest stage of her career, Ripley says she’s doing this for everyone back home and wants all the support she can get.

“I’m doing this not only for myself but to make every single one of you proud, I want to put Australia on the map, especially in wrestling and I’m here for all of you guys,” Ripley said.

“Please help me, there’s going to be no crowds so I need to feel your energy back home. Please support me because I’m doing this for all of you.”



Watch WrestleMania Sunday 5th April & Monday 6th April at 9am (AEST) on WWE Network & Foxtel’s Main Event