A fractured orbital socket and a broken nose have turned Rhea Ripley’s face into a story as compelling as her in-ring work. The Australian WWE star now wears a protective mask that raises questions about her recovery and her personal life.
Age: 29 years old (born October 11, 1996) ·
Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) ·
Weight: 137 lb (62 kg) ·
Championships: 2× Women’s World Champion ·
WWE Debut: 2017 ·
Hometown: Adelaide, Australia
Quick snapshot
- Rhea Ripley fractured her right orbital socket, per WWE official injury update
- She also sustained a broken nose during WWE’s Japan tour in 2025, per Yahoo Sports news outlet
- She is 29 years old, born October 11, 1996, in Adelaide, Australia (WWE official injury update)
- She has no children and is not married as of 2025 (WWE official injury update)
- Exact cause of the facial injury beyond the orbital fracture and broken nose
- Return date from her knee injury that began in 2024
- Whether the mask is purely medical or also a stylistic choice
- 2024: Knee injury forces hiatus from in-ring action
- Nov 2024: Returns with protective face shield after orbital bone injury
- Early 2025: Sustains broken nose during Japan tour
- Nov 2025: Wears protective mask ahead of Survivor Series WarGames
- Ripley is expected to continue wearing the mask through her recovery
- Return to full in-ring competition depends on both facial and knee healing
- No official return date has been announced by WWE
Eight key facts about Rhea Ripley, from her real name to her championship record, all in one place.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Demi Bennett |
| Ring Name | Rhea Ripley |
| Age | 29 (born Oct 11, 1996) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 137 lb (62 kg) |
| WWE Championships | 2× Women’s World Champion |
| WWE Debut | 2017 |
| Hometown | Adelaide, Australia |
Did Rhea Ripley have a kid?
Is Rhea Ripley a mother?
- No. Rhea Ripley does not have any children as of 2025. This is confirmed across all major biographical sources, including Wikipedia community-edited encyclopedia and WWE’s official profiles.
- She has not publicly announced a pregnancy or birth at any point in her career.
Who is Rhea Ripley’s partner?
- Rhea Ripley has not publicly confirmed a current partner as of 2025.
- She was previously in a relationship with fellow wrestler Buddy Matthews (formerly known as Buddy Murphy), but that relationship ended amicably.
Who is Rhea Ripley’s ex?
How long were they together?
- Rhea Ripley was previously in a relationship with fellow wrestler Buddy Matthews (formerly known as Buddy Murphy).
- The exact duration of their relationship has not been publicly detailed, but they were together for several years before parting ways amicably.
Why did they break up?
- Neither Ripley nor Matthews has publicly disclosed the specific reasons for their breakup.
- Both have moved on professionally and personally, with no public animosity between them.
What happened to Rheas’ face?
When did Rhea Ripley injure her face?
- Rhea Ripley sustained a facial injury during a WWE match in early 2025. The exact date has not been publicly specified.
- According to WWE official injury update, she suffered a fractured right orbital socket after a backstage attack.
- Later in 2025, she sustained a broken nose during WWE’s tour in Japan, as reported by Yahoo Sports news outlet.
How did she get the injury?
- The exact cause of the facial injury has not been disclosed in detail by WWE or Ripley herself.
- WWE’s official statement described the injury as a fractured right orbital socket after a backstage attack, per WWE official injury update.
- The broken nose occurred during WWE’s tour in Japan, according to Yahoo Sports news outlet.
Ripley has now dealt with two distinct facial injuries in under two years — a fractured orbital socket in 2024 and a broken nose in 2025. For a performer whose look is part of her brand, each injury carries both medical and professional stakes. The catch: recurring facial injuries risk becoming a pattern that WWE’s medical team cannot ignore.
Why is Rhea Ripley wearing a face mask?
What kind of mask does she wear?
- Rhea Ripley has been wearing a transparent face mask during public appearances and on WWE shows.
- In 2024, her mask was a horror-inspired design crafted by Jason Baker, as reported by Yahoo Sports news outlet.
- As of late 2025, the new mask design had not yet been publicly revealed, per the same source.
Is the mask for protection or style?
- The mask is primarily for protection to allow her facial injury to heal.
- Ripley herself said her nose was “somewhat healed, but it’s still not fully healed” in a late-2025 interview with Sports Illustrated sports journalism outlet.
- She also said she planned to style the mask “just like I did last year,” framing it as part of her presentation rather than only medical gear, per the same interview.
Ripley is turning a medical necessity into a signature look. The mask protects her healing nose and orbital socket, but she’s also styling it as part of her character — a smart move for a wrestler whose visual presentation is central to her appeal. The risk: if the mask becomes a permanent fixture, it could limit her facial expressions, a key tool in wrestling storytelling.
How old is Rhea Ripley?
What is her birth date?
- Rhea Ripley was born on October 11, 1996, making her 29 years old as of 2025.
- Her birthplace is Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, per Wikipedia community-edited encyclopedia.
What is her zodiac sign?
- Her zodiac sign is Libra (born between September 23 and October 22).
Rhea Ripley’s injury timeline
Five key moments in Ripley’s injury history, from her WWE debut to the latest mask update.
- 2017: WWE debut on NXT
- 2019: Wins NXT Women’s Championship
- 2023: Wins Women’s Royal Rumble and Women’s World Championship
- 2024: Knee injury forces hiatus from in-ring action; returns in November with protective face shield after orbital bone injury, per Wikipedia community-edited encyclopedia
- Early 2025: Sustains broken nose during WWE Japan tour, begins wearing face mask
- Late 2025: Wears protective mask ahead of Survivor Series WarGames, per Sports Illustrated sports journalism outlet
Ripley’s injury pattern — orbital fracture, then broken nose — suggests she’s dealing with a vulnerable area that keeps getting re-injured. For WWE, the question is whether she can return to full-time competition without another setback. For Ripley, the mask has become a recurring Survivor Series tradition, but each new injury raises the stakes for her long-term career.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Rhea Ripley’s age, height, weight, championships, and debut year are verified across multiple sources.
- She is not married and has no children.
- Ex-boyfriend is Buddy Matthews.
- She sustained a facial injury and wears a protective mask.
- WWE confirmed a fractured right orbital socket, per WWE official injury update.
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of the facial injury beyond the orbital fracture and broken nose
- Return date from her knee injury that began in 2024
- Whether the mask is solely medical or also a stylistic choice
- Whether the 2025 mask design will be reusable for later appearances
Quotes from Rhea Ripley and WWE
“Paint the walls RED.”
— Rhea Ripley, via Instagram social media platform
“It’s somewhat healed, but it’s still not fully healed.”
— Rhea Ripley, on her nose injury, via Sports Illustrated sports journalism outlet
“I’ll likely wear the mask throughout the WarGames match unless someone removes it by force.”
— Rhea Ripley, via Sports Illustrated sports journalism outlet
WWE confirmed Rhea Ripley’s hiatus due to knee injury.
— WWE official statement, via WWE official injury update
The pattern across these quotes: Ripley is treating the mask as both a medical tool and a character accessory. She’s not hiding the injury — she’s incorporating it into her presentation. For WWE, that’s a smart way to keep a top star visible while she heals. The catch: blending injury with character risks confusion over what’s real and what’s storyline.
facebook.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, instagram.com, tiktok.com, imdb.com, facebook.com, nznewsdesk.com
Fans curious about the full story of her medical history can explore similar face injury details for more context on her recovery and return timeline.
Frequently asked questions
When will Rhea Ripley return to WWE?
No official return date has been announced. She is currently recovering from both a facial injury and a knee injury that began in 2024.
Is Rhea Ripley still a champion?
Rhea Ripley is a 2× Women’s World Champion, but as of 2025, she is not currently holding a championship title due to her injury hiatus.
What is Rhea Ripley’s real name?
Her real name is Demi Bennett. She performs under the ring name Rhea Ripley.
Does Rhea Ripley have tattoos?
Yes, Rhea Ripley has several tattoos, including a large back piece and arm tattoos that are visible during her matches.
What is Rhea Ripley’s finishing move?
Her finishing move is the Riptide, a lifting double-underhook facebuster.
Why is Rhea Ripley called ‘The Eradicator’?
She adopted the nickname “The Eradicator” as part of her dominant, no-nonsense character in WWE, reflecting her ability to “eradicate” opponents.
How did Rhea Ripley start wrestling?
She began training at a local wrestling school in Adelaide, Australia, at age 17, and made her WWE debut on NXT in 2017.
For fans tracking Rhea Ripley’s recovery, the pattern is clear: she’s dealing with two separate injuries — a knee issue from 2024 and a facial injury from 2025 — and the mask is the visible symbol of her ongoing healing. The return date remains unannounced, but her presence on WWE programming suggests she’s not far from the ring. What this means: Ripley’s recovery will define her 2026 trajectory and WWE’s plans for her character.
Related reading: Molly Caudery: Injury, Spinal Surgery, Career and Personal Life · Dan Ballard: Profile, Stats, Injury History & Career
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.