Rhea Ripley's Latest Injury Update Is In... And It's BAD (WWE News)

"Rumblings" persist that WWE will be forced to strip Rhea Ripley of the Women's Title.

WWE Clash in Italy 2026 Rhea Ripley
WWE

Rhea Ripley has shared an update on her recent knee surgery and subsequent recovery plans via social media. Posting on X, the still-reigning Women's Champion said that 14 long years of sports and pro wrestling had "caught up to me". Things got to the point that she couldn't put off surgery any longer, because it was "needed".

The popular WWE star added: "I’ve survived, now it’s time to start thriving again so I can get back to what I love to do! See you all down the road".

Meanwhile, The Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez has indicated there are “rumblings” behind the scenes that Rhea will officially vacate the belt following her knee surgery. Why? Well, Alvarez says 'Mami' will probably “be gone a long, long time”.

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That is not the news her fans wanted to hear.

WWE moved swiftly to crown an interim Women's Champ in a 5-way ladder bout at SummerSlam last weekend. Chelsea Green beat out Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend and her onscreen pal Tiffany Stratton to haul down the gold, and a huge celebration erupted in Minneapolis when she did.

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Green was the live crowd's choice and the sympathetic underdog favourite in the match, which raises another question: Just how would Triple H handle Chelsea vs. Rhea to thrash out the official champ anyway? WWE wouldn't want to run the risk of Ripley being booed, which would be possible given Green's own popularity.

If Alvarez is to be believed, then that isn't something the creative team will have to worry about. Management could strip Rhea of her title and move on with Green as the official titleholder.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.