Rhea Ripley Sustains Black Eye in SmackDown Match Against Giulia

WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley emerged victorious from her recent singles match against Giulia on SmackDown, but not without a visible mark. The match, held on February 20, 2026, at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, concluded with Ripley winning by disqualification, but left her sporting a significant black eye.

Match Details and Injury

Ripley and Giulia engaged in a competitive nine-minute bout. The injury is believed to have occurred during a particularly impactful moment in the match, potentially during a striking sequence. Following the contest, Ripley displayed the bruising around her eye on her Instagram story, accompanied by a playful “happy birthday” message directed at Giulia.

Ongoing Rivalry and Future Plans

The match between Ripley and Giulia is part of an ongoing rivalry that also involves Kiana James. Ripley, alongside IYO SKY, currently holds the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Despite the injury, Ripley remains scheduled to compete in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match next weekend in Chicago, Illinois.

Previous Facial Injuries

This is not the first time Ripley has sustained a facial injury during her professional wrestling career. In 2024, she suffered an orbital socket and broken nose injury, requiring her to wear protective gear. She also sustained a second broken nose in 2025, again necessitating the use of a facial mask during competition.

Despite the physical toll, Ripley appears undeterred and remains focused on her upcoming challenges in WWE.