Story Behind Rhea Ripley’s Endearing Mexican Nickname ‘Mami’

Rhea Ripley, the most dominant female wrestler in the WWE right now is dearly loved by her legion of fans. She is known to the WWE universe by nicknames like The Eradicator and Nightmare. But one name that fans truly associate with Ripley is ‘Mami’.

So let’s take a look at exactly what point in time Rhea Ripley became ‘Mami’.

Rhea Ripley became Dominik Mysterio’s ‘Mami’ after he joined The Judgment Day

Rhea Ripley started her career in the WWE with NXT in 2017. After becoming the top superstar there, she was moved to the main roster on RAW in 2021. Within just a month, she won the WWE Women’s Championship by beating Asuka at Wrestlemania 37.

As Ripley was asserting her dominance in the WWE, Edge and Damian Priest framed the villainous faction The Judgment Day in 2022. Post that Ripley assisted Edge in defeating AJ Styles at WrestleMania Backlash. Thus pledging her allegiance and joining the faction. Then later Finn Bálor joined the group. But the same night Edge got kicked out of the group he created himself. This left just Priest, Bálor and Ripley as the final members of The Judgment Day.

Post that the faction tried to recruit ‘Dirty’ Dom. They finally succeeded when Mysterio attacked Edge and his dad, Rey Mysterio, after their match against Priest and Bálor. Thus offering his complete services to The Judgment Day. After entering the faction, a love story started blossoming between Ripley and Mysterio. Around the same time, Mysterio was trying to recreate Eddie Guerrero’s Latino Heat gimmick. This gave Ripley an idea and she talked about it on her last appearance on The Ringer with Pete Rosenberg. 

Read more: “Mami Is Just Giving Up…”: Dominik Mysterio Weighs In on Rhea Ripley Being Viewed as the Leader of The Judgment Day

She said, “So me being the little menace that I am, I was like, you know what? I ordered an Eddie Guerrero shirt, the one that said, ‘I’m your Papi’, and I was like, I’m just gonna wear it and see what happens. I wore it and the internet exploded.” 

Ripley added, “Eventually, I was like, ‘Yo, we should make some more shirts’, but they were like, ‘Maybe we’ll change it in Mami’, so that’s where Mami came from”.

So here you have it, the exact origin story of Rhea Ripley’s viral nickname ‘Mami’. But as Ripley continues to grow her fan following, an opponent wants to snatch her Women’s World Championship away from her.

Rhea Ripley will face the ferocious Shayna Baszler tonight on RAW

Shayna Baszler has been trying to find her foothold in the WWE after the exit of her bestie Ronda Rousey. At the same time she is also trying to seek some championship glory to catapult her to the top.

Last week, during Nia Jax and Raquel Rodriguez’s match, Ripley popped up to attack Jax. Then Baszler also entered the ring to assault Jax. That’s when Ripley shoved her and told her to leave the ring. An infuriated Baszler suplexed Ripley and then knocked her out with a running knee. Thus sending her a warning that her days as Women’s World Champion are numbered.

Watch this story: Fans Call for a Change as Rhea Ripley Is Spotted in a Rare Look on a Live Show

Both these heavyweights face each other tonight in a non title match. This might be the start of a feud which will eventually lead to a championship bout soon. But what according to you is the best nickname that fits Rhea Ripley?