Rhea Ripley Opens Up About Emotional Split From IYO SKY: “It Feels Like a Breakup”
The powerhouse known as Mami is officially going solo again, and even she admits it stings a little. The February 27th edition of Friday Night SmackDown marked a major shift for Rhea Ripley. Alongside IYO SKY, she dropped the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to the duo of Lash Legend and Nia Jax. While losing gold is tough, the real emotional weight came from what happened next.
Just 24 hours later, Ripley powered through the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, securing a pinfall victory that punches her ticket to WrestleMania 42. There, she will challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship.
But the celebration comes with a bittersweet price.
In a candid interview backstage with WWE Now, Ripley sat down with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant to discuss the reality of moving on from her partnership with SKY.
“It’s actually kind of sad to think about,” Ripley admitted, her usual intensity softening when discussing her former tag partner. “I feel like IYO’s been in my life here in WWE for the past year and a half. We’ve been pretty much inseparable.”
The connection between the two athletes runs much deeper than just holding gold. Ripley revealed that their bond formed in the trenches of the industry, surviving personal betrayals together.
“I’ve seen her family betray her. She’s seen my family betray me,” Ripley shared, referencing their respective factions, The Judgment Day and Damage CTRL. “We’ve been there, and we’ve helped each other through everything.”
For Ripley, SKY was more than a partner; she was a lifeline.
“She kind of pulled me out of that dark place where I didn’t trust anyone. I didn’t think that friends were real,” Ripley confessed. “And then there’s IYO, being a little ray of sunshine that you just can’t help but love.”
With WrestleMania season officially underway, the paths of the two stars diverge. Ripley is headed to the blue brand to build her feud with Cargill, while IYO SKY remains on Monday Night Raw.
“It’s going to be weird. It’s going to be very, very weird,” Ripley said. “I can’t read the future. Obviously, the tag team stuff might have to be put on hold for a little bit. But if she ever needs me, I’m going to be there.”
Ripley made sure to emphasize that the respect—and the friendship—isn’t going anywhere.
“The respect has always been there between IYO and I, no matter what we’re doing,” she stated. “I know she’s got my back through thick and thin.”
