Rhea Ripley, or as she likes to be called Mami, had a cringeworthy moment at the recent Fanatics Fest. After the event, the WWE star made a post on X (previously Twitter) and confessed that she had made a mistake before the fans.
Ripley posted: she wrote about being able to make things awkward because she had done so today at #FanaticsFest. She is a person who as she quipped, throws people not small air-filled objects! One hopes that the audience took it endearingly rather than uncomfortably.
Hope you all enjoyed me embarrass myself today at #FanaticsFest
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) June 22, 2025
I throw people, not small air filled objects! 💀🤣
Ripley is a former Women World Champion who regularly interacts with fans on live events. This one was not however, according to plan. She had been playing with a blow-up thing-or whatever inflatable it was-and it mucked up her coordination or timing. It was so memorable that she chose to make it her own, publicly demonstrating that she is able to laugh at herself despite her vicious in-ring character.
A playful recovery
Instead of leaving the memory as a cringeworthy moment, Ripley transformed it into a fan-friendly scene. She made fun of herself by acknowledging the slip and strengthening her ability of being down-to-earth off-screen. Such humility was bound to impress the fans, especially as she is still one of the most dynamic and raw personalities in WWE.
The time was exactly right. A meeting with meet-and-greets, a photo op, Ripley appeared at Fanatics Fest, which was right before WWE Raw was broadcast live in Columbus, Ohio, where Ripley is also a native.
Even in spite of several high-stakes matches this year, including a shot at the Money in the Bank briefcase and her recent fatal four-way win to qualify in the Queen of the Ring tournament, she did not pass up on fans, and even laughed at her own slip. That is where that combination of glamor and familiarity makes her a unique WWE character.