Topic overview
In brief
- Rhea Ripley announced her knee surgery on August 6, 2026.
- She has been absent from WWE events since June 5, 2026, due to injury.
- Fans are looking forward to her return and a potential title unification match.
Summary
In the United States, WWE star Rhea Ripley announced on August 6, 2026, that she underwent surgery on her right knee. This decision came after nearly 14 years of wrestling and a lifetime of sports, indicating that her body had reached a breaking point. Ripley, who is the reigning WWE women's champion and a prominent figure on the SmackDown brand, had not been seen on 'Friday Night SmackDown' since June 5, 2026. Reports had suggested that she suffered an injury, but the specifics were unclear at the time. As a result of her absence, Ripley missed significant events, including Night of Champions and SummerSlam, where an interim women's champion was crowned. Chelsea Green won the Interim WWE Women's Championship in a ladder match at SummerSlam, defeating several competitors, including Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair. This victory marked Green's first world title reign, positioning her as a leading figure in the women's division for the foreseeable future. Fans are now eager to see Ripley recover and potentially unify the title against Green, a matchup that many in the wrestling community are looking forward to. Ripley's surgery was not her first choice, but she felt it was necessary to ensure her long-term health and ability to return to the ring. She expressed hope for a swift recovery, stating, 'I’ve survived, now it’s time to start thriving again so I can get back to what I love to do!'