The wrestling world is still buzzing from the explosive scandal that erupted during WWE’s European tour stop in Amsterdam on March 30, 2025. Former Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, a cornerstone of WWE’s women’s division, found herself at the center of a storm after allegedly engaging in an affair while intoxicated. The incident, involving two unnamed male WWE wrestlers, has not only sparked a firestorm of controversy but has also led to swift and decisive action from WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the industry, Triple H has officially banned the two wrestlers involved, a decision that underscores the severity of the situation and WWE’s attempt to mitigate the damage to its reputation as WrestleMania 41 looms on April 19-20 in Las Vegas.
The night in question began innocently enough, with Ripley joining fellow WWE stars for drinks after a SmackDown taping in Amsterdam. According to eyewitness accounts, the mood was celebratory until it took a darker turn. Ripley, reportedly heavily intoxicated, was last seen leaving a local bar with two male wrestlers from the roster. While their identities remain unconfirmed, speculation has run rampant, with names like Dominik Mysterio, Grayson Waller, Finn Balor, and Austin Theory circulating among fans and insiders. What transpired next is unclear, but by the morning of March 31, whispers of an affair had spread like wildfire through the WWE locker room, reaching Ripley’s husband, AEW star Buddy Matthews, across the Atlantic.
Matthews’ reaction was immediate and visceral. On April 1, he took to X with a post that reverberated across the wrestling community: “I didn’t expect they would do that to Ripley. Trust is gone.” The statement, which garnered over 50,000 likes in hours, didn’t name the wrestlers but pointed the finger squarely at them, accusing them of taking advantage of his wife’s vulnerable state. A source close to the couple revealed to Wrestling Observer that Ripley confessed to Matthews over a tearful phone call, admitting she’d made a mistake under the influence. “She was a mess,” the source said. “She didn’t intend for it to happen, but the alcohol clouded everything.” Matthews’ words suggest he holds the two wrestlers primarily responsible, a sentiment that has fueled Triple H’s drastic response.
Triple H, known for his no-nonsense approach as WWE’s creative head, acted swiftly. On April 2, WWE issued a brief statement confirming that two male superstars had been “indefinitely suspended” pending an internal investigation into “conduct detrimental to the company’s image.” While the statement avoided specifics, sources within WWE told Fightful that the suspensions were a direct result of the Amsterdam incident, with Triple H personally pushing for the ban. “He’s furious,” an insider said. “This isn’t just about Rhea—it’s about WWE looking like a circus right before its biggest show. He wants this contained.” The banned wrestlers’ identities remain under wraps, but the move has intensified speculation, with fans dissecting every clue from recent storylines and social media activity.
The scandal has hit Ripley and Matthews’ marriage hard. The couple, married since June 2024, had cultivated a public image of unity, often sharing their bond through tattoos and joint appearances. Matthews, 36, now a standout in AEW, and Ripley, 28, a WWE mainstay, seemed unshakable—until now. The affair comes on the heels of another controversy involving Ripley’s matching tattoos with Grayson Waller, adding fuel to the fire of betrayal Matthews feels. “You don’t take advantage of someone like that,” he wrote on X, hinting at a desire for retribution that could spill over into AEW programming. With a match against Jon Moxley looming this week, some speculate he might use the spotlight to call out the culprits, potentially igniting a cross-promotional feud.
For Ripley, the timing is disastrous. After losing her Women’s World Championship to IYO SKY on March 3, she’s been building toward a redemption arc at WrestleMania 41, where she’s set to face SKY and Bianca Belair in a triple-threat match. Now, her personal turmoil threatens to overshadow her professional comeback. She’s yet to speak publicly, but her upcoming appearance on RAW this Monday, April 7, could force her to confront the issue head-on. The WWE Universe is divided—some fans defend her, citing her intoxication as a mitigating factor, while others see it as a betrayal of her vows. “She’s not perfect, but those guys crossed a line,” one X user posted. “Buddy’s anger is justified.”
Triple H’s ban is a clear signal that WWE is scrambling to salvage its image. The company has faced criticism in the past for mishandling scandals, and with WrestleMania 41 being a flagship event—and the first under Netflix’s expanded partnership—the stakes are higher than ever. The suspensions may appease some, but they also raise questions about accountability and whether Ripley herself will face repercussions. For now, the focus is on damage control, with insiders suggesting Triple H is prepared to escalate the punishment if more details emerge.
As the dust settles, the wrestling world braces for what’s next. Matthews’ simmering rage, Ripley’s silence, and the mystery of the banned wrestlers have turned a night of revelry into a saga that could redefine careers and relationships. With WrestleMania 41 just weeks away, this real-life drama threatens to eclipse the scripted rivalries, leaving fans and superstars alike wondering: will this be the end of Ripley’s reign as a beloved figure, or the beginning of a new, tumultuous chapter? One thing is certain—Triple H’s iron fist has spoken, but the story is far from over
