Winners from WWE WrestleMania Saturday spoke to the public.
Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Roman Reigns, The Rock, and Triple H took questions from the media. Here are the highlights:
Rhea Ripley
- Ripley said that what people see out there is an organic version of herself, and how she really would react to things.
- Said the Four Horsewomen have done so much for the business, but between herself and the likes of Bianca Belair, they can take it to “higher heights”.
- Called her match “spectacular,” noting she and Becky Lynch haven’t had a match together since their NXT days. To have it at such an amazing stage, everything fell into place, and this could just be the start between her and Lynch.
Jade Cargill, Naomi, and Bianca Belair
- When asked about representation, Belair said that “representation is not a request, it’s a requirement” and that it was important to have multiple people representing, noting that the three of them come from different backgrounds. Belair said that Naomi helped her learn in the beginning of her career that you’re not taking an opportunity from someone, the opportunity is for you.
Roman Reigns (with Paul Heyman)
- About breaking Hulk Hogan’s record of headlining the most WrestleMania events tomorrow, Reigns said they’ll smash the record tomorrow night and then move to the next goal.
- At one point, Reigns, in character, asked to be acknowledged. When someone booed, he halted the press conference and asked staff to remove the person who booed.
- Regarding the status of his leukemia, he said that he is still taking oral chemotherapy and will be taking chemotherapy, most likely, for the rest of his life. As long as he can continue to perform, he will be good. “We’re still in remission, but it is something that is still a part of my life.”
- On teaming with The Rock, he said that his coming back to team with him shows how important The Bloodline storyline is. Later, he said it was something he had dreamed about his whole life, but also it is a dream to be with every single one of his relatives.
The Rock
- Said he “felt great” following his match, he had the time of his life. He had a 10-12 week training camp and flew in wrestlers who “worked their asses off”. There’s nothing like performing at WrestleMania in front of thousands of people and fellow pro wrestlers.
- When asked if there will be more big matches in the future, Rock said “There might be.”
- Triple H has done a “tremendous” job. Rock said it was a new era they are ushering in. This was the beginning of something new under Triple H’s creative and it is an exciting time for the company and TKO.
- When asked if there was a specific time for when he decided to do WrestleMania 40, he replied “When Ari Emanuel called and said ‘I’m going to buy the company’.” He said there were talks almost two years ago for WrestleMania 39, but it “didn’t shake out.” The selling of the company “led to the impetus” of doing WrestleMania 40, with negotiations between himself, Ari Emanuel, and Nick Khan.
- Rock confirmed that the original idea for WrestleMania 40 was himself against Roman Reigns. He said that they listened to the fans as they mattered and their voice mattered, and they had the opportunity to listen. It became clear to him after the SmackDown episode in Birmingham where Cody stepped aside that they needed to pivot. He couldn’t be happier with the result.
- When asked if there will be any surprises during Sunday’s Bloodline Rules match, The Rock said absolutely. “You can sure expect the unexpected and a lot of surprises.”
Triple H
- Said that Friday’s SmackDown was the highest-grossing SmackDown of all time. He also said that NXT Stand & Deliver on Saturday set a record for the brand. He will have additional numbers following WrestleMania Sunday.
- When asked about The Rock, Triple H said that what he did was not easy, to get into the best shape of his career. He thanked The Rock, saying that he didn’t need to do this. Deep inside his DNA, this is what he does.
- Later he was asked what surprised him the most about The Rock’s performance. Triple H said he was impressed by his composure in the ring.
- He reiterated that this was a new time for the company, a new era, and they were just getting started.
- When asked about Paul Heyman’s comments from the Hall of Fame, Triple H said that he was incredibly touched, and inscribed something inside Heyman’s Hall of Fame ring, and if people want to know what he said, they could ask Heyman.
- Regarding the Women’s World Championship opening the show, Triple H talked about how he came up with the match order, saying that with The Rock returning, they were “clearly” going to headline with his match. He chose the Women’s World Championship to open the show because he knew Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley were going to deliver.
- Brandon Thurston asked about Brock Lesnar’s status with WWE. Triple H said that there were conversations about Lesnar being at the Royal Rumble. He’s not gone from the WWE, he is home “being Brock”.
WWE will return tomorrow with a second press conference following WrestleMania 40 Sunday, where Cody Rhodes will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in a Bloodline rules match.
