Top WWE Star Could Miss SummerSlam 2026, Contingency Plan Taking Shape (WWE News)
WWE is waiting to discover the extent of Rhea Ripley's knee injury.
With last week's SmackDown revealing that Rhea Ripley is currently dealing with a knee injury, there's now an update on the Eradicator's WWE status where it pertains to SummerSlam.
Per WrestleVotes Live on Fightful Select, WWE is waiting to discover the severity of Ripley's injury and whether she'll be able to compete at the company's patented Biggest Party of the Summer. The current WWE Women's Champion, "a lot" of other plans are expected to be changed should Rhea be forced to miss SummerSlam, including the likely Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill match, suggesting that one (or both) of those women would instead be factored into the WWE Women's Title match at that PLE.
As for what was previously planned for Rhea Ripley at SummerSlam 2026, recent reports noted that a match against Jacy Jayne was something that had been discussed. Of course, another option would be for the winner of the Queen of the Ring tournament to possibly face Rhea, with the winner of that tourney earning themselves a shot at a World Title seemingly of their choice. Last night saw IYO SKY advance to the final of the Queen of the Ring, where she'll face either Charlotte Flair or Women's World Champion Liv Morgan, with many fans hoping to see SKY and Ripley lock up one more time when SummerSlam rolls around.
Either way, those SummerSlam plans appear to be a little up in the air right now, as WWE waits to discover the extent of Rhea Ripley's injury.