Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 12

Rhea Ripley Reveals Meniscus Tear After 1-Month Absence as WWE Women's Champion Awaits Return

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 12

Rhea Ripley Reveals Meniscus Tear After 1-Month Absence as WWE Women's Champion Awaits Return

Q: Will Rhea Ripley’s uncertain recovery force WWE to crown a new women's champion before SummerSlam?

Possibly, but WWE has not yet reached the point where crowning a new champion before SummerSlam looks necessary. Ripley has confirmed a meniscus tear and said her recovery is “up in the air,” with ongoing pain, limited bending, and no clear return date. She has already been off television since June 5 and missed Night of Champions, while reports say WWE has had to reshuffle SmackDown plans and is only hoping she can be cleared for SummerSlam on August 1-2. That makes her status uncertain enough to create real pressure on the title picture. Still, the available information does not show WWE preparing to vacate the championship immediately. The stronger indication is that the company is waiting to see whether Ripley can make SummerSlam or return soon after. WWE often delays stripping a top champion, especially one as popular as Ripley, unless medical timelines become clearly long term. There is also conflicting background material in the search results, including references to other women’s title lineages and champions, so the safest reading is to focus on the current reporting tied to this injury: Ripley is being treated as the reigning WWE Women’s Champion, but with no firm timetable. So, her uncertain recovery could force WWE to crown a new champion if she cannot be cleared in time and the SummerSlam build demands a title match. As of July 12, though, that remains a possibility rather than an imminent decision.

Q: Which superstar will now carry the SmackDown women's division through WWE's biggest summer event?

IYO SKY looks like the strongest bet to carry SmackDown’s women’s division into SummerSlam if Rhea Ripley remains sidelined. Ripley’s slight meniscus tear has left WWE without a firm return date, and while the company is hopeful she could be back by SummerSlam on August 1 and 2, that is not assured. With the champion off television since June 5 and still saying she cannot bend her knee well, WWE has had to reshuffle the division around other featured names. Among those names, IYO SKY stands out because the additional reporting points to her as the favorite in the 2026 Queen of the Ring tournament and a likely women’s world-title player at SummerSlam. That makes her the clearest candidate to become the division’s centerpiece during Ripley’s absence. Charlotte Flair is also a major option, especially given her history with Ripley and her push back toward the top of the SmackDown title picture. Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill are already in a prominent feud, which gives WWE another ready-made program to anchor the brand. Jacy Jayne and Nia Jax remain credible alternatives if WWE wants a different direction. Still, based on the current landscape, IYO SKY has the clearest momentum and the strongest storyline positioning to lead the division through WWE’s biggest summer event, with Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton, and Jade Cargill serving as the most immediate supporting pillars.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 12

Ripley said a slight meniscus tear has kept her out for about a month and a week, explaining why she has largely vanished from WWE programming since early June.
At a Power Slap event on Friday, she said the injury is healing but still limits bending, crouching and side-to-side movement, with no timetable yet for her return.
Her absence followed a successful WWE Women’s Championship defense against Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy on May 31, after which she also missed Night Champions last month.
Ripley remains one of WWE’s biggest stars and recaptured the women’s title from Cargill at WrestleMania 42, leaving the championship picture in limbo until she is cleared.