According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE expects Rhea Ripley to return by the fall of 2026.
There was reportedly a strong internal push within the company for Ripley to take the necessary time to fully recover from her meniscus injury, rather than rushing back for SummerSlam.
Fightful has also learned that Ripley’s injury forced WWE to make significant changes to several creative plans, including the originally proposed championship match between Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair. Additionally, Tiffany Stratton was initially scheduled to defend the WWE Women’s US Title at SummerSlam.
WWE is currently holding a five-way ladder match at SummerSlam to crown an Interim Women’s Champion.