WWE will crown an interim WWE Women’s Champion at SummerSlam after RAW General Manager Adam Pearce announced that current titleholder Rhea Ripley is sidelined with a torn meniscus. According to Pearce’s statement released before an episode of SmackDown, Ripley’s recovery is progressing, but she won’t be medically cleared to compete at the upcoming event.
The decision sets up a multi-person qualifying series to fill out a high-stakes ladder match at SummerSlam. Five competitors will earn their spots in the ladder match, where the interim title will officially hang in the balance. Pearce also confirmed that once Ripley is cleared to return to active competition, she will face the interim champion in a unification match to establish the undisputed titleholder.
Rhea Ripley’s Absence and Injury Timeline
Ripley has been off WWE television for over a month. According to match records, her last appearance took place during WWE’s European tour on June 4, when she teamed with Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton to defeat Fatal Influence.
In a recent interview addressing her status, Ripley described her situation as uncertain and noted that her recovery timeline remains fluid as rehabilitation continues.
Updated WWE SummerSlam Match Card
According to official WWE announcements, the lineup features several major championship defenses and high-profile bouts:
- WWE Championship: CM Punk defends against Cody Rhodes
- World Heavyweight Title: Roman Reigns defends against Seth Rollins
- Hell in a Cell Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi
- Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan defends against IYO SKY
- Interim WWE Women’s Championship: Five-way ladder match (Participants TBA)
- WWE Intercontinental Title: Penta defends against Chad Gable
- Six-Man Tag Team Match: LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, and Royce Keys vs. Jacob Fatu and The Usos (challenge issued)
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