Rhea Ripley’s SummerSlam hopes are officially dead. Just before the July 17 episode of WWE SmackDown, Adam Pearce announced that Ripley will not be medically cleared to compete at SummerSlam because of the torn meniscus that has already kept her out of action for several weeks.
WWE posted the announcement on social media and confirmed that the company will now crown an interim WWE Women’s Champion in a ladder match at SummerSlam. Pearce opened the video by acknowledging Ripley’s work with WWE’s medical team and said she is getting closer to returning. The problem is that doctors still cannot give WWE a reliable timetable because of the complicated nature of the injury.
“As many of you know, WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has been spending the last several weeks recovering from a torn meniscus. Throughout her recovery, she’s worked tirelessly with WWE Medical, and she’s close to returning.”
That progress still wasn’t enough to save her SummerSlam match. Pearce made it official that Ripley will not be able to defend the WWE Women’s Championship at the two-night event.
“Due to the tricky nature of the injury, it is my unfortunate duty to report that Rhea Ripley will not be able to compete at SummerSlam.”
WWE isn’t stripping Ripley of the championship. Instead, the company is creating an interim title while she continues recovering. Pearce announced that qualifying matches will begin on SmackDown and continue over the next two weeks. Five women will earn spots in a ladder match at SummerSlam, with the winner leaving as interim WWE Women’s Champion.
“With her timetable uncertain, we have made the decision to crown an interim WWE Women’s Champion.”
“Beginning tonight, and over the next two weeks, five women will have the opportunity to win their way into a ladder match at SummerSlam. The winner of the ladder match becomes the interim WWE Women’s Champion.”
The setup guarantees a title unification match once Ripley is finally cleared. Whoever wins the ladder match will eventually have to face Ripley to determine the undisputed champion.
“When Rhea does return to competition, we find out who the one and only WWE Women’s Champion truly is. And that is official.”
Ripley recently confirmed that she suffered a slight meniscus tear, but she also made it clear that the injury is still causing serious problems. She said the knee has improved, though she still cannot bend it properly.
“I am injured, unfortunately. I hurt my knee. I’ve got a slight tear in my meniscus. It’s healing. It’s getting there and getting stronger, but I can’t bend it right now, so I kind of need it to bend.”
Ripley also admitted that the tear occurred in a difficult location, which is why she has not been able to give fans a clear answer about when she will return. She then described how limited her movement remains, revealing that even basic crouching and bending continue to cause trouble.
“I tore it in a weird spot, so it’s a little bit up in the air how fast my body recovers. I’ve been out for over a month now. It does feel better, but it still starts to hurt and throb.”
“I can’t get up or bend down really slowly, so I move side to side while crouching. It sucks.”
That uncertainty has now forced WWE to completely change its SummerSlam plans. Ripley had been connected to possible championship matches involving Alexa Bliss or Jacy Jayne, but neither option can happen with the champion still unable to compete.
The interim championship gives WWE a way to keep the women’s title picture moving without taking the championship away from Ripley while she is injured. It also guarantees a major showdown when she returns and finds another woman carrying a version of her title.
Rhea Ripley may still be WWE Women’s Champion, but SummerSlam will belong to somebody else. Now five women will fight for a place in a ladder match—and the winner will eventually have to answer to Mami.
Who do you think should win the interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, and who should face Rhea Ripley when she returns? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.
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