Rhea Ripley: Injury, Husband Buddy Matthews & Mask
Seeing a WWE superstar step into the ring with a protective face mask might look like a new character choice — but for Rhea Ripley, it’s a practical response to a real injury. A broken nose and orbital fracture in early 2024 forced the Australian wrestler to adapt her look and keep competing.
Age: 29 (born October 11, 1996) · Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) · Weight: 137 lb (62 kg) · Championships: 2× Women’s World Champion, Raw Women’s Champion, NXT Women’s Champion · WWE Debut: 2017
Quick snapshot
- Married to Buddy Matthews since 2023 (Sports Illustrated FanNation)
- No children as of 2025 (Sports Illustrated FanNation)
- Born in Adelaide, Australia (WWE)
- Suffered broken nose and orbital fracture in early 2024 (Newsweek)
- Wears protective face mask (Yahoo Sports)
- Continues to compete with mask (Newsweek)
- Age: 29 (born Oct 11, 1996) (WWE)
- Height: 5’7” (170 cm) (WWE)
- Weight: 137 lb (62 kg) (WWE)
Here are the key biographical facts about Rhea Ripley.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Demi Bennett |
| Ring Name | Rhea Ripley |
| Birth Date | October 11, 1996 |
| Birth Place | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 137 lb (62 kg) |
| Spouse | Buddy Matthews (Matthew Adams) |
| WWE Debut | 2017 |
| Major Championships | Women’s World Championship (2), Raw Women’s Championship, NXT Women’s Championship, Women’s Royal Rumble (2023) |
Did Rhea Ripley have a kid?
Rhea Ripley’s children
As of 2025, Rhea Ripley has no children. There are no public announcements, pregnancy reports, or family photos indicating she has become a mother. Her focus remains on her wrestling career and her marriage to Buddy Matthews.
Rhea Ripley’s relationship with Buddy Matthews
Ripley married fellow Australian wrestler Buddy Matthews (real name Matthew Adams) in 2023. The couple had been engaged since 2022 and tied the knot in a private ceremony. Matthews, a former WWE star now competing in AEW, has spoken about their life together. Sports Illustrated FanNation confirmed the marriage timeline.
The implication: Ripley’s personal life is stable, with no distractions from her in-ring career.
Who is Rhea Ripley’s ex?
Rhea Ripley’s relationship history
Ripley has not publicly confirmed any past relationships before Buddy Matthews. Rumors of a romance with former WWE colleague Matt Riddle have circulated but remain unsubstantiated. There is no verified information about any ex-partner.
Rumors vs verified facts
The only confirmed romantic relationship in her adult life is with Matthews. Speculation about earlier partners is unsourced and not supported by credible reports. Newsweek notes that Ripley’s personal life is largely private, and no ex has ever been named by the wrestler herself.
What this means: fans can rely on the marriage as the sole confirmed relationship.
Who is Rhea Ripley’s husband?
Buddy Matthews profile
Buddy Matthews, born Matthew Adams, is an Australian professional wrestler currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He previously performed in WWE under the name Buddy Murphy, winning the Cruiserweight Championship. Matthews and Ripley began dating around 2020 and got engaged in 2022. Their wedding took place in 2023, attended by a small circle of friends and family.
Rhea Ripley’s wedding
The couple married in a private ceremony, with Ripley sharing photos on social media. The same Sports Illustrated FanNation report noted that Matthews has been a steady presence during her recovery from the facial injury.
The pattern: having a fellow wrestler as partner provides both personal and professional support.
What happened to Rheas’ face?
Details of the injury
In early 2024, Rhea Ripley sustained a broken nose and a fractured right orbital socket. WWE officially announced that she would be out of action for an undisclosed time. According to Newsweek, the injury occurred during a four-way match in Japan when Raquel Rodriguez inadvertently propelled Iyo Sky into Ripley outside the ring. Fan footage corroborated that account. Despite the injury, Ripley finished the match, showing remarkable toughness.
Timeline of injury and mask usage
After the injury, Ripley began wearing a protective face mask during matches and public appearances. Yahoo Sports quoted Ripley saying: “My nose is somewhat healed, but not completely healed.” She added that she would style the mask and reveal the design to fans. The mask was created by Jason Baker, the same artist behind Bray Wyatt’s Fiend masks, as noted by Sports Illustrated FanNation. This is actually the second time Ripley has worn a face mask for Survivor Series — she did so the previous year due to an orbital bone injury.
The mask has become part of Ripley’s visual brand, merging a legitimate medical need with a gothic aesthetic that fits her “Mami” persona. It’s a rare case where a real injury directly reshapes a wrestler’s on-screen identity, giving her an even more intimidating look.
The implication: what started as a medical necessity has turned into a defining character element.
How old is Rhea Ripley?
Rhea Ripley’s birth date
Rhea Ripley was born on October 11, 1996, in Adelaide, South Australia. As of 2025, she is 29 years old. Her official WWE profile lists her height at 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) and her weight at 137 lb (62 kg).
Rhea Ripley’s early life
Growing up in Adelaide, Ripley was a fan of professional wrestling and began training as a teenager. She honed her skills at Riot City Wrestling before signing with WWE in 2017. Her rapid rise through NXT and the main roster has made her one of the most dominant figures in women’s wrestling. WWE documents her championship history, including her win at WrestleMania 37 and the 2023 Royal Rumble.
Timeline
- October 11, 1996 — Born in Adelaide, Australia (WWE)
- 2017 — Signed with WWE, debuted in NXT (WWE)
- 2019 — Won NXT Women’s Championship (WWE)
- 2021 — Won Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37 (WWE)
- 2023 — Won Women’s Royal Rumble; married Buddy Matthews (Sports Illustrated FanNation)
- 2024 — Sustained facial injury; began wearing protective mask; captured Women’s World Championship twice (Newsweek)
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Most details about Rhea Ripley’s personal life and injury are backed by credible sources, but a few gaps remain.
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place: October 11, 1996, Adelaide (WWE)
- Marriage to Buddy Matthews in 2023 (Sports Illustrated FanNation)
- Championship wins as per WWE records (WWE)
- Facial injury and use of protective mask (Newsweek)
What’s unclear
- Exact date and match that caused the injury (multiple conflicting reports) (Yahoo Sports gives one version; Newsweek another).
- Full recovery timeline and whether surgery was needed (Sports Illustrated FanNation reports her nose was not fully healed).
- Any past relationships before Buddy Matthews (none officially confirmed) (Newsweek notes her personal life is private).
- The full extent of the orbital fracture (severity unspecified in WWE statements).
These gaps leave room for further updates as her story evolves.
Quotes from Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews
“My nose is somewhat healed, but not completely healed. The mask is going to be something I style and reveal to the fans.”
Rhea Ripley, speaking on Yahoo Sports
“I’ll wear the mask during WarGames unless someone forcibly removes it.”
Rhea Ripley, quoted by Yahoo Sports
“The mask was created by Jason Baker, the same guy who made the Fiend’s iconic mask.”
Buddy Matthews, in interview with Sports Illustrated FanNation
Rhea Ripley continues to compete at the highest level, using her injury as a testament to her resilience and adaptability.
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For a deeper look at her career milestones and personal details, check out Rhea Ripleys biography and stats.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rhea Ripley’s real name?
Demi Bennett.
Is Rhea Ripley married?
Yes, to Australian wrestler Buddy Matthews (Matthew Adams) since 2023.
Does Rhea Ripley have any children?
No, she does not have any children as of 2025.
Why does Rhea Ripley wear a mask?
She suffered a broken nose and fractured orbital socket in early 2024 and wears a protective face mask while competing.
What championships has Rhea Ripley won?
Women’s World Championship (2 times), Raw Women’s Championship, NXT Women’s Championship, and the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble.
How tall is Rhea Ripley?
5 ft 7 in (170 cm).
What is Rhea Ripley’s finishing move?
Her signature finisher is the Riptide, a lifting powerbomb.
For more on WWE superstars, check out our profile of Oba Femi.
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