Rhea Ripley: Wrestling sensation coming to Perth in December ahead of WWE extravaganza in February

Australian wrestling sensation and world champion Rhea Ripley is coming to Perth this month ahead of the WWE extravaganza at Optus Stadium in February. The Sunday Times understands Ripley will be in Perth in December along with fellow wrestling superstar Dominik Mysterio. Details of Rhea’s visit are a closely guarded secret, but it’s understood the WA Government will do a number of promotional activities with her — which will be played to audiences ahead of the February 24 Elimination Chamber event. Ripley and Logan Paul are among wrestlers who are expected to feature in Elimination Chamber. “Of course we’d absolutely love to see Aussie export and WWE star Rhea Ripley in the ring as part of our exclusive WWE: Elimination Chamber Perth next year,” Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said on Saturday. “We know she’s become a household name in WWE across the world over the last 18 months, so it’d be huge if she was able to make the trip home to Australia. “I’m sure a lot of people would love to see her flying the flag for Australia at the Optus Stadium blockbuster.” Ms Saffioti said the WWE event will generate millions of dollars for WA. “The atmosphere in Perth is going to be unreal in February, as the only WWE Premium Live Event held anywhere in Australia or the Asia-Pacific next year. “WWE superstars will be available for a range of appearances, and meet fans through a series of community-focused activations and celebrations in Perth, in the days leading up to the event. “It’s no doubt going to attract thousands of out-of-State fans, generating millions of dollars for our local economy in visitor spend and providing a boost to our hospitality, accommodation and tourism businesses.” The Sunday Times revealed in February this year that the WA Government was in negotiations with WWE to bring the extravaganza to Perth. Tourism Council WA boss Even Hall said the WWE event, when combined with the recent Coldplay concerts, would generate $100 million for WA. “If you imagine the biggest entertainment shows in the world, WWE has to be right at the top of the list,” Optus Stadium Chief Executive Officer Mike McKenna said. “Not a regular WWE show, the Elimination Chamber is the final step on the journey to WrestleMania, wrestling’s Grand Final. The eyes of millions of WWE fans all around the globe will be on this event and Perth. “It will be the first time a WWE Premium Live Event has been held in WA, and only the second time the worldwide phenomenon has hosted a televised Premium Live Event in Australia. “ He said thousands of interstate fans were expected to travel to Perth to witness their favourite WWE superstars live. “Perth people are fans of the big stadium events and it is expected that those with, normally, less interest in wrestling will also want to be part of the live entertainment experience that is WWE,” Mr McKenna said. “The event will be broadcast live to WWE’s extensive global audience, including 180 countries in more than 25 languages. “It will be the largest event broadcast of an event at Optus Stadium. The recent announcement that reigning WWE US champion Logan Paul will be returning to Perth for the Elimination Chamber has added to the anticipation.“