Top WWE Star Wrestles First Match In Four Months
This WWE star had been out of action since June.
This past weekend saw Rhea Ripley return to in-ring action for the first time in over four months.
The Judgment Day powerhouse teamed with Damian Priest in a losing effort against the tandem of Dolph Ziggler and Nikki A.S.H. at WWE live events on both Saturday (Sioux City, Iowa) and Sunday (Topeka, Kansas). These matches mark the first time that Ripley has been in action since the 6 June edition of Raw.
I’m back Bitches ⚖️ https://t.co/ioPzFAJJSD
Advertisement— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) October 16, 2022
While Rhea has still clearly maintained a TV presence across the past few months - including getting physical with Beth Phoenix at the Extreme Rules PPV - the 26-year-old suffered a "brain and teeth" injury during the aforementioned Raw bout. There, in an unfortunate accident, Ripley appeared to knee herself in the face; a move which required immediate dental surgery.
Not just did the Australian still emerge victorious in that Raw contest - a four-way battle featuring Doudrop, Liv Morgan and Alexa Bliss - but that victory positioned Rhea as the #1 contender for Bianca Belair's Raw Women's Title. Ripley and Belair were initially due to square off at Money in the Bank in July, but those plans were obviously changed - the E.S.T. instead facing (and besting) Carmella at that PPV - once details of Ripley's injury issues became clear.
Bianca Belair may be embroiled in a rivalry with Bayley and Damage CTRL right now, but Rhea Ripley still technically has a shot at the Raw Women's Championship to her name for some point in the future. Should Belair still hold that prize once Rhea gets done doing the inevitable something with Beth Phoenix, that previously planned MITB contest may well be revisited.