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Rhea Ripley undergoes knee surgery amid WWE title uncertainty
WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley has undergone surgery to repair a meniscus tear in her right knee. Ripley, who has been sidelined since June, confirmed the procedure on social media, stating, "Surgery was never a first option for me, but it got to the point that it was needed."
Following Ripley's injury, WWE held a five-woman ladder match at SummerSlam to crown an interim champion. Chelsea Green emerged victorious, defeating Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton to claim the interim title.
There is ongoing speculation regarding the future of the championship. While Ripley remains the official champion, industry reports suggest WWE may decide to have her vacate the title, which would recognize Green as the undisputed champion. Green has already begun promoting herself as the permanent champion, even appearing on SmackDown with merchandise that replaces the word "Interim" with "Permanent." No official timeline for Ripley's return to the ring has been announced.
Entities
Chelsea Green · Friday Night SmackDown · Jade Cargill · Meniscus tear · Rhea Ripley · SummerSlam · Triple H · WWE · WWE Women’s Championship
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The surgery is the first operation of Ripley's professional wrestling career. www.wrestlingnewssource.com · www.power-wrestling.de · www.prwrestling.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Rhea Ripley underwent knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear. www.wrestlingnewssource.com · www.power-wrestling.de · www.prwrestling.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ripley's last televised match was on May 31 at Clash in Italy, where she defended the title against Jade Cargill. www.wrestlingnewssource.com · www.power-wrestling.de · www.prwrestling.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] WWE has not announced a plan for unifying the titles or Ripley's return date. www.wrestlingnewssource.com · www.power-wrestling.de · www.prwrestling.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chelsea Green said she has not been informed about WWE's plans for the championship after Ripley's return.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There are rumours that WWE could strip Ripley of the title and make Green the undisputed champion. www.wrestlingnewssource.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ripley remains the official WWE Women’s Champion during her absence. www.wrestlingnewssource.com · www.power-wrestling.de · www.prwrestling.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Chelsea Green won the interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. www.wrestlingnewssource.com · www.power-wrestling.de · www.prwrestling.com