Rhea Ripley addressed her March 1 social media exchange with WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill on Instagram, stressing it was serious and not playful, as reports emerged of backstage tension involving Cargill ahead of their WrestleMania 42 title clash.
Building on their heated social media exchange on March 1—detailed in prior coverage—Rhea Ripley posted on her Instagram stories on March 2, 2026: “Not having fun. Not friends. Learn to work and never lie to defame someone’s real human character by breaking the fourth wall.” This clarified that the interaction crossed into personal territory, urging professionalism without breaking kayfabe.
The statement follows reports from March 2 indicating locker room heat for Cargill in WWE, despite her push from management. Backstage sources note not all is smooth, though she remains favored by leadership.
The feud intensifies ahead of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, where Ripley earned her title shot by winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber match on March 1 at Chicago’s United Center, with Cargill watching from a VIP suite.
WWE has not commented on the backstage dynamics or spat, highlighting wrestling's mix of kayfabe and reality.
