The Real-Life Mami: 5 Shocking Facts About Rhea Ripley’s Marriage To An AEW Star
The question of whether WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley is married has been definitively answered, confirming that "The Nightmare" has found her real-life tag team partner. In a major update that shook the wrestling world, the former Women's World Champion officially tied the knot with fellow Australian professional wrestler and AEW star, Buddy Matthews, in June 2024. This union creates one of the most prominent, cross-promotional power couples in the industry today, solidifying their relationship status well into 2025 and beyond.
While her on-screen character, "Mami," maintains a controversial, close relationship with Dominik Mysterio in The Judgment Day, the reality is that Rhea Ripley's personal life is focused on her husband, Matthew Adams (Buddy Matthews). Their relationship, which began quietly, became public knowledge with an engagement announcement in 2023, leading to a private and highly anticipated wedding ceremony the following year. This article dives deep into the facts, the timeline, and the biography of the woman behind the "Eradicator" persona.
Rhea Ripley: Biography and Profile of "The Nightmare"
Before diving into her marriage, it is essential to understand the journey of the woman known globally as Rhea Ripley. Born Demi Bennett, she quickly became one of the most dominant and popular figures in professional wrestling, known for her unique look, intense physicality, and captivating presence.
- Ring Name: Rhea Ripley
- Real Name: Demi Bennett
- Nicknames: The Nightmare, The Eradicator, Mami
- Date of Birth: October 11, 1996
- Age (as of 2025): 28 years old
- Hometown/Birthplace: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Professional Debut: 2013 (Independent Circuit)
- WWE Debut: 2017 (Inaugural Mae Young Classic)
- Career Highlights (WWE):
- WWE Women's World Champion
- NXT Women's Champion
- Inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion
- Women's Tag Team Champion
- 2023 Women's Royal Rumble Winner
- NXT UK Women's Championship (Inaugural)
- Current Faction: The Judgment Day (with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, and JD McDonagh)
Demi Bennett adopted the Rhea Ripley persona and quickly rose through the ranks, first making history as the inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion. Her aggressive style and distinctive aesthetic captivated audiences, leading to a successful run in NXT and an eventual main roster call-up where she became a cornerstone of the Raw brand.
The Real-Life Tag Team: Details on Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews' Marriage
The relationship between Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews (Matthew Adams) is a compelling story of two top-tier athletes from rival promotions finding love. Both are Australian, which provided a natural connection despite their busy and often conflicting schedules working for WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), respectively.
The Road to the Altar: Engagement and Wedding Timeline
The couple’s relationship became public knowledge in 2022, but the most significant milestones occurred recently, making their story one of the freshest in wrestling news.
- The Engagement (August 2023): Rhea Ripley announced their engagement on social media, sharing a heartwarming photo that showcased a stunning single-stone engagement ring. Her caption, "1000x YES! Pure F***ing happiness!" captured the excitement of the moment.
- The Wedding (June 2024): The couple officially tied the knot in June 2024. The news was shared on social media, confirming their marriage in a private ceremony. This union made headlines as it brought together a top star from WWE and a key member of the AEW roster.
The marriage of Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews is particularly noteworthy because they represent a rare cross-promotional marriage at the highest level of professional wrestling. Buddy Matthews, a former WWE star himself known as Buddy Murphy, is currently a member of the House of Black faction in AEW.
The Power Couple of Professional Wrestling
As of 2025, Rhea Ripley and Buddy Matthews are considered one of the sport's ultimate power couples. Their combined star power, influence, and estimated net worth place them among the elite in the industry. They are both known for their hard-hitting, aggressive in-ring styles, which gives them a unique, complementary dynamic both professionally and personally.
Despite the eight-year age difference—Matthews is eight years older than Ripley—their relationship is described as thriving, showcasing a strong bond that transcends the professional rivalry between their respective companies.
Separating Fact from Fiction: The Dominik Mysterio Dynamic
One of the most common points of curiosity and confusion among fans stems from Rhea Ripley's highly successful and controversial on-screen relationship with Dominik Mysterio. The storyline, which features Ripley as "Mami" and Mysterio as her often-coddled partner, is purely for entertainment and has been a massive driver of WWE programming.
The Mami and Dom Storyline
The "Mami" moniker and the dynamic with "Dirty" Dom have made Ripley one of the most compelling characters in WWE. This fictional pairing is a testament to her acting and character work, as she convincingly plays a dominant, protective figure over Mysterio.
However, it is crucial for fans to recognize the clear distinction between the on-screen narrative and her real-life marriage. The intense chemistry and storyline commitment between Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio are professional. In reality, Rhea Ripley is committed to her husband, Buddy Matthews, who understands the business and the necessity of such compelling, non-traditional storylines.
Entity Focus: The Judgment Day
The Judgment Day faction, which Rhea Ripley is a key member of, serves as a central point for her character's development. Her role as the "Eradicator" and "Mami" has elevated the entire group and firmly established her as a main-event level superstar. This on-screen success has only increased the public's interest in her real-life status, which is why the confirmation of her marriage to Buddy Matthews was such a major news story. The ability of Ripley to seamlessly transition between the aggressive, dominant persona on television and her private life as a newlywed is a hallmark of a truly expert professional wrestler.
In summary, Rhea Ripley is officially married to Buddy Matthews, and they continue to enjoy their status as a major wrestling power couple. The relationship is real, the wedding was in June 2024, and the on-screen relationship with Dominik Mysterio is a purely professional, highly-successful narrative.
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