Rhea Ripley sends wrestling world into MELTDOWN as the WWE star performs iconic move at live show... with returning CM Punk's response leaving fans in stitches
- Ripley copied a WWE legend's move and the video went viral on social media
- She was taking on Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler at a live show on Saturday night
- CM Punk responded, as well as he real-life partner, who saw funny side of things
Rhea Ripley has sent the wrestling world into meltdown with a move performed at a WWE live event.
Ripley was in action at a show in Illinois on Saturday night, facing off against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler in a match in front of those in attendance at the Bank Of Springfield Center.
The current women's world champion has become one of the most popular stars in WWE, starring in the Judgement Day faction alongside Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh.
While she has impressed in-ring in her short WWE career - and will face Becky Lynch at WrestleMania in just under a fortnight's time - she has also won the hearts of fans for her personality and cheeky aura.
This week, Ripley went viral after performing a famous move at the event, with the move caught on camera and shared around, including by Ripley herself.
![WWE star Rhea Ripley sent the wrestling world into meltdown as she performed an iconic move at a live show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82852175-13235113-image-a-17_1711355588614.jpg)
WWE star Rhea Ripley sent the wrestling world into meltdown as she performed an iconic move at a live show
![Ripley used Rikishi's 'stinkface' move made famous by WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi a number of years ago](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82851949-13235113-image-m-3_1711354971696.jpg)
Ripley used Rikishi's 'stinkface' move made famous by WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi a number of years ago
![Ripley was facing off against long-term rival Nia Jax (pictured) and Shayna Baszler in event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82851919-13235113-image-m-7_1711355012036.jpg)
Ripley was facing off against long-term rival Nia Jax (pictured) and Shayna Baszler in event
Jax, who returned to the company last year having previously been released, is a character who relies on her size to get the better of opponents in her matches.
A performer who once did the same is WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, who became famous for using a move named 'stinkface' that would see him use his buttocks to inflict damage on his opponents.
He would regularly approach his foes backwards, bend forward and hit them in the face with his rear in what was a comedy move.
![Rikishi, known for his size, would regularly perform the move on his opponents during matches](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82851957-13235113-image-a-11_1711355045280.jpg)
Rikishi, known for his size, would regularly perform the move on his opponents during matches
Jax has adopted the move since returning to WWE, but, in Illinois, Ripley tried it herself, performing it on Jax as she was cheered on by the crowd.
She shared a video of the move on social media, captioned: 'Payback's a Peach... You're welcome Nia,' accompanied by a devil emoji.
With the post currently receiving 1.7miliobn views and 34,000 likes, social media went into frenzy, with Ripley's real-life partner, AEW's Buddy Matthews, sharing the video with the quote: 'Weekly occurrence for me!' to which Ripley replied with a laughing emoji.
![Ripley's real-life partner, AEW's Buddy Matthews (right) responded to a video of the move on social media](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82851921-13235113-image-m-10_1711355032798.jpg)
Ripley's real-life partner, AEW's Buddy Matthews (right) responded to a video of the move on social media
![He joked that the move is a 'weekly occurrence' for him in a response that also went viral online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82851951-13235113-image-a-8_1711355025670.jpg)
He joked that the move is a 'weekly occurrence' for him in a response that also went viral online
![CM Punk, meanwhile, who will return to WWE on Monday night, left fans in stitches with his response on social media](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/08/82851955-13235113-image-m-28_1711356662338.jpg)
CM Punk, meanwhile, who will return to WWE on Monday night, left fans in stitches with his response on social media
CM Punk, meanwhile, who is set to make his return from injury on Monday night's RAW show in his hometown of Chicago, referenced the post on Instagram ahead of his comeback.
He posted an edit of him kissing Cody Rhodes, including the words: 'I see what @rhearipley_wwe been doing on house shows and I'm prepared to raise the bar.
'See you tomorrow Chicago! Live tv is the best, let's all swear!'