On this week’s WWE SmackDown, as the show began, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore confirmed that WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is injured. The injury came after her Clash in Italy bout against Jade Cargill. Ripley sustained a knee injury that will keep her out for an undisclosed amount of time.
Injury Implications for Rhea Ripley
Ripley has been an absolute workhorse in WWE, having amazing matches, as well as carrying the torch of WWE, whether it’s as Women’s World Champion or WWE Women’s Champion. Unfortunately, she’s no stranger to injury, as in 2024, Ripley legitimately injured her right arm, only two days after successfully defending the title against Becky Lynch at WrestleMania XL.
This happened during a segment between her and a then-returning Liv Morgan, where an errant throw would cause Ripley’s arm to get injured. Rhea Ripley was in a sling for a while, but after three months, she would return to exact her revenge. Now, Ripley finds herself in a similar situation, but she is currently holding SmackDown’s top championship.
Sure, there are people like Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, maybe even an up-and-comer like Jacy Jayne, who can take over the mantle until she returns. That said, WWE has not stripped her of the title just yet, remaining hopeful that she comes back sooner rather than later. Ripley’s run as Women’s World Champion is just beginning, and this injury is a huge setback to SmackDown and the WWE Women’s division.
Rhea Ripley is WWE’s golden girl, and as the WWE Women’s Champion and top woman on WWE SmackDown, it is truly a huge blow. Behind the scenes, Ripley was transferred to SmackDown to shore up their main event scene, and with this injury now confirmed, we can only hope and pray for Rhea Ripley’s speedy recovery.
