Rhea Ripley Harassed At Airport In Viral Video
There has been an online backlash following a new video of Rhea Ripley being harassed for autographs at an airport just days after she asked for the behaviour to stop.
It has been a big 2023 for Rhea Ripley since she won the Women’s Royal Rumble in January after starting the match. That performance set a record for any woman in Royal Rumble in terms of time spent in the ring. That Rumble victory also means Ripley gets a shot at any Women’s Champion in WWE.
At WrestleMania 39 on April 1/2 taking place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Ripley’s chosen championship opponent is the Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
Ripley was already forced to issue a public plea for those seeking multiple autographs at airports to stop their behaviour and also asked that she not be followed in public and now a video has gone viral of the star being harassed again, even asking if she can leave at one point in an unsettling scene.
Lets end this airport stalking thing with all athletes/celebrities. pic.twitter.com/fmgyWaolH8
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) March 25, 2023
PWInsider recently reported that WWE’s attitude towards those waiting to pounce to have lots of things signed – presumably that are then sold on – is that they are a nuisance.
Many talents in WWE were said to be upset when the footage of Rey Mysterio refusing to sign several items at 5 am in an airport came to light given how good Mysterio is with fans, especially kids with who he is frequently seen sharing his inspirational words of encouragement with on the way to the ring.
The incident kicked off a wider discussion within the company, the report says, especially in regard to female talents who have on occasion been followed after getting in their cars. WWE is said to be unhappy about the situation and several stars have told fans waiting on them at airports and hotels that they are unable to sign multiple items although no official direction has been given.