Rhea Ripley Goes Sneaker Shopping With Complex

Why It Matters

Ripley's sneaker preferences and viral moments reveal a lucrative branding bridge between WWE and streetwear, positioning her as a prime candidate for future footwear collaborations.

Key Takeaways

• Ripley reveals lifelong love for Vans, prefers comfort over trends
• She discusses sneaker culture in WWE, citing Roman, Liv, AJ
• Ripley jokes about fake Michael Jordan endorsement, highlights misinformation
• She hints at future Vans partnership after DM silence
• WrestleMania 42 match against Jade Cargill emphasized her championship ambitions

Summary

Complex’s sneaker‑shopping segment with WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion Rhea Ripley turned into a deep dive into her footwear philosophy and the broader sneaker culture permeating professional wrestling. Ripley explained that her affinity for Vans dates back to high school in Australia, valuing their durability, comfort, and ability to look stylish even when distressed. She also praised classic Chuck Taylor high‑tops for their ankle support, while noting that boots now dominate her in‑ring look. The conversation highlighted how wrestlers use shoes as personal branding tools: Roman Reigns’s rotating Nikes, Liv Morgan’s transition from sneakers to stilettos, and AJ Lee’s historic Chucks. Ripley laughed about a fabricated $30 million Michael Jordan endorsement that sparked fan comments, underscoring the prevalence of fake news in the digital age. She also revealed she once DM’d Vans for a partnership that never materialized, expressing eagerness to collaborate now that her profile has grown. Memorable moments included Ripley’s “any means necessary” shoe‑throwing anecdotes, the shout‑out from Drake calling her his muse, and the line “if it ain’t real Ripley, you know what I’m saying.” These snippets illustrate the crossover appeal between wrestling, music, and sneaker fandom, while also showing how athletes leverage viral moments for personal branding. Looking ahead, Ripley’s upcoming WrestleMania 42 showdown with Jade Cargill and her expressed desire for a custom Vans line signal potential new revenue streams for both the star and the brand. As WWE continues to intersect with streetwear culture, authentic sneaker partnerships could deepen fan engagement and open lucrative merchandising avenues.

Original Description

WWE superstar Rhea Ripley goes Sneaker Shopping with Complex’s Joe La Puma at Flight Club in NYC and talks about her love for Vans and sliding into their DMs, throwing her sneakers at opponents, her fake news Jordan deal, and doing shoeys out of sneakers.

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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports, and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.