“I Bawled My Eyes Out”: ‘Extremely Sad’ Rhea Ripley Cried Like a Baby When 49-Year-Old WWE Legend Hung Up His Boots in 2011

What led Rhea Ripley to break down? While she has cemented her status in pro wrestling, this wouldn’t have been possible if an iconic superstar hadn’t spotted her potential and given her a platform. Despite stabbing the WWE legend in the back once, the Australian star admitted her immense disappointment when he closed out his initial run in 2011.

No one expected Edge to embark on a second run in the promotion after the devastating news of his neck injury emerged. The sudden retirement announcement sent shockwaves throughout the WWE Universe. Rhea Ripley’s reaction was no different as she came to terms with her idol’s sudden retirement.

Rhea Ripley recalled sobbing over Edge’s first retirement

Despite the recent cracks in The Judgment Day, the group is in a dominant position on the roster. While Finn Balor is the one who leads them officially, it is Mami who keeps all the heads glued together through thick and thin. For Ripley, it all started when the Rated R Superstar recruited her into his newly formed stable.

Back in 2022’s spring, Edge recruited her into the faction alongside Damian Priest, and Mami couldn’t be more grateful for that. Her connection with Edge, however, goes way back. Ripley recalled how she was in tears when the Hall of Famer retired for the first time back in 2011.

In an emotional flashback, ‘The Eradicator’ noted, “When he had to retire the first time, to be honest, I cried. I bawled my eyes out… was extremely sad…. called my mom into my bedroom, and I was like, ‘I’m never gonna see Edge wrestle again,'” in an interview with India Today during WWE’s visit to India.

However, the chain of events ultimately led to a silver lining as Ripley got to work closely with Edge. “It was really cool to then fast forward into the future and be in a faction with Edge where he recruited me,” she added.

Under the tutelage of the Rated R Superstar, the 26-year-old learned to snatch the opportunities that presented itself in front of her. Ripley, learning from The Ultimate Opportunist, stabbed him in the back in 2022 to catapult the faction’s standing in WWE. The betrayal also paved the way for the faction to gather the strength to dismantle anyone in their way and stand atop the WWE mountain.

READ MORE– Significant Update on Edge’s Status Might Give AEW Fans a Glimmer of Hope

Edge has bestowed several glorious memories to the WWE Universe and his own colleagues in his storied WWE career. However, it looks likely that the WWE Hall of Famer could put an end to his second run in the company.

Is Edge set to bid adieu to WWE?

To offer fans a glimmer of hope, he suggested that he would mull over WWE’s new contract proposal despite his demands not being agreed to. Speculation emerged about his potential AEW debut as he could join his friend Christian Cage to embark on a new journey. However, that scenario also hasn’t come to fruition. Now, with Edge featured in an intro video for SmackDown, fans are hoping that Edge returns to their television screens sooner rather than later.

Fans have no option but to wait in bated breath to see what the future holds for the Rated R Superstar. Whether he plies his trade in WWE or AEW, one thing is set in stone: The WWE Hall of Famer will continue to inspire several fans and superstars like Rhea Ripley.

Watch the story: Rhea Ripley Takes A Cheeky Dig At New Raw Member Jey Uso

What’s your take on Rhea Ripley being in tears at Edge’s first departure from the Stamford-based company? Let us know in the comments.