World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
WWE star Rhea Ripley reveals slight tear in her meniscus keeping her out of action
WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley has revealed that a slight tear in her meniscus is behind her recent absence from television. The Australian star had successfully defended her title against Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy, seemingly ending their rivalry, but has since made only sparse appearances and has not been present on "Friday Night SmackDown" to support her on-screen allies.
Ripley did not feature at Night Champions the previous month and has not been on the show since 5 June, leaving Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to contend with Cargill, Michin and B-Fab. She was recently spotted at a Power Slap event, where she reportedly gave an update on her condition. Her title defence against Cargill took place at the Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on 31 May 2026.
In short
- Rhea Ripley is sidelined by a slight meniscus tear.
- She has been absent from SmackDown since 5 June.
- Ripley last defended her title against Jade Cargill in Italy.
Explained simply
Rhea Ripley is the WWE Women's Champion, one of the company's most prominent performers. In May, she successfully defended her title against fellow wrestler Jade Cargill at an event in Italy, maintaining her championship status.
Despite this victory, Ripley has been largely absent from television since June, particularly from the weekly "Friday Night SmackDown" programme. The reason for her absence is a slight tear in her meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee that helps support movement and stability.
Her absence has affected the ongoing storylines on the show, with her on-screen allies Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss left to face other wrestlers without her support. As the reigning champion, Ripley's eventual return will likely be significant to how the company's wrestling narratives develop.
Americas Business Celebrity Cricket Entertainment Markets Sport World