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WWE star Damian Priest has recently lauded Rhea Ripley, calling her the "greatest woman wrestler of all time" in light of her incredible winning streak in 2023. As we are only partway through 2023, it may seem premature to make such a claim.
However, there's no denying that this has been Rhea Ripley's year in WWE so far. The gifted Australian wrestler made history in January by winning the Royal Rumble, entering the match as the first contender and emerging victorious with a record-setting performance for a woman in Royal Rumble history.
Ripley's stellar year continued at WrestleMania 39, where she delivered a performance for the ages by defeating Charlotte Flair to secure her first Smackdown Women's Championship. The highly acclaimed match has been hailed by many as one of the best women's bouts in WWE history.
Ripley's Unprecedented Milestone
By capturing the Smackdown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 39, Ripley achieved a remarkable milestone as the first woman in WWE history to win the NXT UK Women's Title, NXT Women's Title, Women's Tag Team Titles, Raw Women's Title, and Smackdown Women's Title.
With the NXT UK Women's Title no longer in existence, Ripley's accomplishment is unlikely to be matched. Rhea Ripley is currently a key member of The Judgment Day group, which was recently drafted to Raw. Alongside Ripley are former Universal Champion Finn Balor, former US Champion Damian Priest, and former Tag Team Champion Dominik Mysterio, who affectionately refers to her as "Mami," among other endearments.
During this week's WWE After The Bell podcast, Damian Priest expressed his admiration for Ripley's extraordinary talent, calling her the greatest woman wrestler of all time despite her young age of 26. Priest acknowledges that her career is still in its early stages but believes she has earned the recognition.
"Greatest woman wrestler of all time. That's where I'm at with Rhea. And I know it's, everybody goes it's a little early. Why? What title hasn't she won yet? As far as where the women go. Who on this planet can stand in front of her and challenge her for that title, and you really think that they're just going to have their way with her? Not one person on this entire planet.
It doesn't matter who it is. Rhea Ripley is the best," said Priest. Priest continued, "I don't think there's anybody in the history of this business that could dominate her. That's who Rhea really is to me, and watching her grow, the same thing I said for Dom goes for Rhea.
[I am] proud, excited, just love the idea that I get to sit here right next to her and see all this magic and history happen." Priest hopes to be present for every milestone in Ripley's career, including her eventual induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Fans can watch Rhea Ripley in action this Saturday at WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico as she defends her Smackdown Women's Title against Zelina Vega.