Latest injury update on Rhea Ripley amid title defense plans at WWE SummerSlam 2026
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
The Women’s Champion has been sidelined due to injury.
‘The Eradicator’ Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to retain the WWE Women’s title at Clash in Italy last weekend in Turin. Following the title defense, Ripley appeared during last week’s SmackDown in Bologna, Italy.
During Ripley’s walkout, Cole revealed that Ripley is dealing with a right knee injury sustained during the Clash in Italy title defense. Rhea herself mentioned the injury, as she was spotted wearing a knee brace during the segment.
Rhea Ripley is being evaluated for a knee injury
A week later, during the June 12 edition, WWE provided another update on the Women’s Champion. Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore revealed during the show that the WWE Women’s Champion is currently being evaluated for a knee injury she sustained during the first WWE PLE in Italy.
Barrett and Tessitore also added that Rhea’s return timeline will be determined by her progress during treatment.
It remains to be seen whether the injury will force Ripley to relinquish the title, something she previously had to do during her Women’s World Championship reign in 2024. However, a new report suggests the situation may not be as serious as initially feared.
Rhea Ripley vs Jacy Jayne has been pitched for SummerSlam
According to a report from False Finish, a match between Rhea Ripley and Jacy Jayne with the WWE Women’s title on the line has been pitched internally for SummerSlam in Minneapolis.
Although SummerSlam is still scheduled for August, the report suggests that Rhea Ripley is expected to remain champion heading into the event and may not be required to relinquish the title due to injury.
Rhea has had run-ins with the Fatal Influence led by Jacy Jayne, with the two even competing in a singles match as well as a multi-woman match.
The report also means that the winner of the Queen of the Ring tournament, who gets a shot at the champion on their choosing at SummerSlam, is likely going to pick the Women’s World Champion, Liv Morgan, who herself is participating in the tournament and is in the semi-finals against Charlotte Flair.
That said, creative plans can always change, and with SummerSlam still nearly two months away, there are plenty of moving parts that could alter WWE‘s current direction.
What is the latest injury update on Rhea Ripley?
Per Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore, Ripley is currently being evaluated for a knee injury she sustained during the first WWE PLE in Italy.
Is Rhea Ripley going to face Jacy Jayne at SummerSlam?
According to False Finish, Ripley vs Jayne for the Women’s title has been pitched internally for SummerSlam.
When and where will SummerSlam 2026 take place?
SummerSlam 2026 is scheduled to take place on August 1 and August 2, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.