The Relationship Between Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio & Buddy Matthews, Explained

May 2024 · 9 minute read

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In the enthralling realm of professional wrestling, where scripted narratives intertwine with real-life relationships, the storylines often blur the boundaries between fact and fiction. The wrestling world was recently sent into a frenzy when Rhea Ripley, a prominent figure in WWE, announced her engagement to Buddy Matthews, a former WWE star now in AEW. This revelation added an unexpected layer to the already complex dynamic involving Rhea, Dominik Mysterio, and Buddy. As scripted drama and genuine emotions intertwine, the tale of these three wrestlers presents a captivating narrative that transcends the confines of the ring. Reality and fiction are clashing in a way that is hard to comprehend.

UPDATE: 2024/01/24 07:30 EST BY Andrew Kelly

Rhea Ripley's on-screen romance with Dominik Mysterio has been a prominent highlight on WWE television and social media for a year. Surprisingly, their journey had an awkward beginning, as they were initially paired together by creative forces. Rhea, at first, found the pairing quite strange. However, as time went on, their chemistry and connection grew, and now, she can't envision her career without Dominik by her side. Their on-screen partnership has evolved into a compelling storyline that has captivated WWE fans and solidified their place in the wrestling world. But hearing that Ripley had reservations and doubts about it is wild.

Rhea Ripley And Dominik Mysterio's Intriguing On-Screen Love

Dominik Mysterio Was Taken Under Rhea Ripley's Wing In The Judgment Day

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Judgment Day Members

Date Joined (& Left)

Edge

April 2022 - June 2022

Damian Priest

April 2022 - present

Rhea Ripley

May 2022 - present

Finn Balor

June 2022 - present

Dominik Mysterio

September 2022 - present

JD McDonagh

August 2023 - present

The Clash at the Castle event in 2022 marked the inception of a narrative that would soon captivate wrestling enthusiasts worldwide. Rhea Ripley, an embodiment of strength and determination, found herself entwined with Dominik Mysterio, a rising star whose journey had been paved by the legacy of his father, Rey Mysterio. The unexpected turn of events saw Dominik betray his own family, aligning himself with the enigmatic Judgment Day faction. The audacious betrayal provided a potent catalyst for the blossoming on-screen romance between Rhea and Dominik. From intense in-ring chemistry to shared victories and losses, their relationship developed under the watchful eyes of millions of fans. Rhea's claim to have "turned Dominik into a man" served as a cheeky nod to their partnership and added a layer of intrigue to their dynamic.

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As their alliance deepened, Rhea and Dominik showcased a magnetic synergy that extended beyond the ring. Their storyline transcended traditional wrestling narratives, evolving into an intricate web of passion, trust, and ambition. In an era where social media holds immense influence, Rhea and Dominik took their on-screen romance to the digital stage. Flirtatious tweets, affectionate Instagram posts, and endearing videos demonstrated a chemistry that resonated with fans, generating buzz and viral moments.

The Real-Life Origins Of Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio's Partnership

Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio Have Had Fun Since Day One

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Despite it going down a storm on-screen, their romance had an awkward beginning in real life as Rhea told Sporting News Australia. She said,

“He’s not allowed to leave me because I need him, and I feel like he needs me too. Like you said, at the start, it seemed so weird. Putting our names next to each other, it just didn’t seem right, especially because we didn’t really know each other." Rhea added, "So we didn’t know what was gonna happen or how things were gonna work, if it was gonna click or not, or if we’d even get along. We were on a very, ‘Hi, how are you?’ basis, and that was about it. But I think us being so similar in age has really helped in this situation as well. He’s only six months younger than me, I think, so that has definitely helped. We are on that same sort of level. It just clicks.”

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Ripley also confessed that their story is only beginning:

"It’s really strange. It’s hard to explain in words because it was something that just came so out of left field and no one expected it, but each and every week I go out there with Dom, I feel like our relationship grows to that next little step, which is really cool to see because it started off with us just awkwardly walking out there together, and I told Rey that I made his son into a man. Now we’re going out there and we’re having legit fun."

In this day and age of wrestling, even after the death of kayfabe, Rhea and Dominik have somehow been able to get their relationship over with the fans. Despite the fans clearly knowing that both of them are not dating each other, they have still compelled the fans to invest. Such insight and skill at such an early stage of their careers signals the bright future they have in WWE. As far as their real-life romantic partners are concerned, neither of them seem to mind Rhea and Dominik getting cozy on TV.

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Rhea Ripley's Real-Life Engagement With Buddy Matthews

Rhea Ripley Is Set To Marry AEW's Buddy Matthews

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Behind the curtain of scripted rivalries and storylines, the personal lives of professional wrestlers often remain hidden from the spotlight. Rhea Ripley's off-screen engagement to Buddy Matthews brings a new layer of intrigue and complexity to her already multifaceted on-screen persona. Their real-life romance added an unexpected twist to the evolving narrative involving Rhea, Dominik, and the wrestling world. Rhea and Buddy's relationship began to emerge in May 2022 when they decided to share their connection with the public. Their initial interactions on social media hinted at a deepening bond, and as they stepped out as a couple, fans and wrestling enthusiasts began to pay close attention.

Dominik Mysterio, on the other hand, maintained his own off-screen engagement with a long-time girlfriend, who intentionally remains outside the wrestling spotlight. This contrast added another layer of intrigue to the overall narrative. As Rhea Ripley's real-life engagement came to light, fans were left speculating on the impact it might have on her on-screen dynamic with Dominik Mysterio. But as we know now, they seem to be masters at separating their personal lives from their scripted romance.

A Complicated Love Triangle Between Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio, And Buddy Matthews

Some Fun Has Been Poked At Buddy Matthews

The era of social media has added an entirely new dimension to the already complex world of professional wrestling storylines. The intertwining narratives of Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio, and Buddy Matthews have taken on a life of their own on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, blurring the lines between scripted drama and real-life emotions. Rhea Ripley's social media presence has been a constant source of intrigue for fans. The perplexing aspect emerges when one takes a closer look at her posts - on one hand, there are candid and affectionate snapshots shared with Buddy Matthews, and on the other, there are flirtatious exchanges and playful interactions with Dominik Mysterio.

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Buddy Matthews, not one to remain in the shadows, has injected his own brand of playfulness into the mix. Frequently commenting on Rhea's interactions with Dominik, his expressions of mild jealousy have captured the attention of fans and generated countless conversations. The entanglement of scripted and real-life emotions serves as a reminder that, while professional wrestling is choreographed entertainment, the human element remains a constant factor. The reactions, interactions, and playful jealousies showcased on social media bring a layer of authenticity that only enhances the intrigue surrounding the Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio, and Buddy Matthews saga. If fantasy booking is allowed, imagine if Buddy ever returns to WWE, and gets involved with Dominik and Rhea. Now that is entertainment.

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Even on AEW programming, the likes of The Acclaimed have made digs towards Buddy Matthews and his role in the on-screen WWE relationship between Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio. This only further proves that Matthews is fully on board with keeping this whole thing fun and light-hearted, even though to some it may come across a little weird.

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