Rhea's character is so rich and complex it HURTS. You have a dominant, cheeky, hot-headed, emotional powerhouse who has been consistent and true to character after experiencing the most inconsistent year of their life. Forced to relinquish the title due to injury, stabbed in the back while away, betrayed in front of her eyes upon return, losing her partner + the found family she wholeheartedly trusted and gave everything to after experiencing betrayal from others in her past. HI TRAUMA!!! Despite the trauma, all Rhea wanted was her title back - an object that won't betray her, or abandon her... something Rhea can control and signifies that she's OK, she's back on top. Her self worth is tied more to the title and what it symbolizes than anything else. Rhea was cheated out of winning it back for months due to interference, proving she had very little control and was constantly triggered, before being injured again. Remember the backstage segment after Liv attacked Rhea's knee? Rhea was crashing out, recoiling away from medical staff. Only Damian could calm her. It showed Rhea was terrified of further injuries and threats of having more time out...only for her to literally have her face broken in a parking lot attack weeks later. HI TRAUMA!!! When Rhea eventually won the title back, it proved Rhea was so tunnel vision on getting back to where she was before her injury, that she hadn't processed everything, her trauma, and how deeply it's impacted her. Asking a character to undergo self-reflection and completely heal alone under the weight of all that trauma is not realistic in any capacity. Rhea has no support right now. Rhea is isolated and alone. We see hints of her reflecting, taking accountability and showing maturity in backstage promos, when in a safer space and asked questions by a journalist. Otherwise, her consistent emotional temperament wins out when she's backed into a corner. Rhea falls back on what she knows because she doesn't know better yet.
It's quite literally Rhea in survival mode. Survival mode triggers a fight or flight response, and Rhea fights. This is clear in the current Iyo x Bianca x Rhea feud as I've analyzed previously. In Rhea's mind, history is repeating itself in similar patterns where there's a title loss, a lack of control, a need for both PLUS fears of betrayal. The feud started with Rhea acting mature, respectful and empathetic despite her fear of failure. Iyo wasn't #1 contender. Rhea has never beat Iyo. Rhea still gave her a chance at the title. As inconsistent rulings of a DQ unfolded, Rhea's trust issues and insecurities were triggered in ways I've previously analyzed. Rhea has slowly spiraled further into survival mode, into her fighting instincts. HI TRAUMA!!! HELLO SELF SABOTAGE!!! On the surface Rhea's actions are childish and immature, but until she's no longer alone and until Rhea is safe and supported to heal her inner child Rhea will be forced - by her subconscious, trauma and temperament - to fight for herself in a way that highlights her flaws, and past experience in a faction which I'll touch on in the tags. I've rambled too long. Rhea doesn't know better yet. Growth happens in time. That is so human.
