Rhea Ripley Explains Where Her Nickname Came From
Rhea Ripley may be known as “Mami” to some WWE fans, but she was “The Nightmare” first and she explained how a song inspired the name.
It has been a breakout year for Rhea Ripley in 2023 as the WWE Women’s World Champion who has held that championship since dethroning Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39.
The Judgment Day consisting of Ripley, Dominik Mysterio, Damian Priest, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh have also had a big year since they are heavily on the Raw brand where they often appear in main event matches.
Before her run with The Judgment Day which has seen her earn the “Mami” nickname from Dominik, Ripley was known as The Nightmare, which is obviously an intimidating nickname for anyody to have in pro wrestling.
While speaking to the Today Show in Australia, Rhea Ripley noted that she gave the “Nightmare” nickname to herself.
“I sort of give it to myself because I thought it was very fitting. I got it from Motionless In White. One of their songs said, ‘I’m the nightmare that will haunt you in the night,’ and I was like, ‘That’s amazing.'”
“They’re my favorite band and I look a lot like Chris Motionless, who is the lead singer, so I thought it was very fitting to call myself ‘The Nightmare,’ especially with the way that I handle people in the ring because every time they step in there, it’s their worst nightmare.”
Mick Foley Believes In Rhea Ripley
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley appeared on The Bump recently to talk about how impressed he is by Ripley.
“I was just tuning in to a pull-apart with Nia Jax and Rhea Ripley and I heard 15,000 people chanting, ‘Mami!’ I was like, ‘Now I remember why I love this stuff.’ It’s just great.”
“I’ve been a real big proponent (of Ripley). As high as I had hoped for her, I could’ve never seen this coming. This is one of the great characters of the modern generation.”