Rhea Ripley sidelined with knee injury after WWE Clash in Italy

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley retained the title by defeating Jade Cargill at the Clash in Italy event in Turin. Hours later she appeared on SmackDown from Bologna wearing a knee brace, and commentator Michael Cole confirmed she sustained a right‑knee injury during the match. Fellow commentators noted the injury will keep her out of competition for several weeks and raised the possibility that she may have to vacate the championship. WWE analysts have already listed potential successors, including Jade Cargill, Stephanie Vaquer, Charlotte Flair, IYO SKY and the winner of the 2026 Queen‑of‑the‑Ring tournament.