WWE Rumors on LA Knight Concern Compared to Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley's Injury, Drew McIntyre, SummerSlam

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

WWE's Reported Concern Regarding LA Knight

Despite his undeniable popularity with wrestling fans, WWE has yet to pull the trigger on a main event push for LA Knight.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Geno Mrosko of Cageside Seats), Knight's in-ring work has played a role in WWE's reluctance to push him to the top.

WWE reportedly has "concerns" about Knight's in-ring ability, believing that his work isn't necessarily on par with someone like Jey Uso.

The Uso comparison was likely made since Jey was able to parlay his connection with the crowd into a Royal Rumble win before beating Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.

Knight has not achieved that same level of success with his biggest accomplishments being a pair of reigns as United States champion.

While Knight did have a brief run near the top in late 2023 when he unsuccessfully challenged Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at Crown Jewel, it was not a sustained push.

Knight still receives ample television time and gets a noticeable pop from the crowd every time he makes his entrance, but it is fair to wonder if he will ever be given the opportunity to win the big one.

Given how unexpected Jey's push and world title win were, though, Knight ascending to that level cannot be completely counted out yet.

Reported Details on Ripley's Injury Situation

With SummerSlam approaching, the status of WWE women's champion Rhea Ripley is reportedly up in the air.

According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Mrosko), WWE is waiting to determine the severity of Ripley's injury and whether she will have to miss SummerSlam on Aug. 1 and 2 in Minneapolis.

Ripley did not appear on last week's episode of SmackDown, and it was announced during the broadcast that she was nursing a knee injury.

Rhea last wrestled at some European live events earlier this month, and her most recent televised match was a victory over Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy on May 31.

Ripley beat Cargill for the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 42 in April, and the win over Cargill at Clash in Italy represented her first successful defense.

False Finish reported last week that there was an internal pitch for Ripley to defend her title against Fatal Influence's Jacy Jayne at SummerSlam.

However, if Ripley is not cleared to wrestle by then, it is fair to wonder what might become of the WWE women's title.

Should WWE strip Ripley of the championship in that scenario, a match between Cargill and Charlotte Flair for the vacant title could be a possibility.

Cargill and Flair have been at odds recently on SmackDown, and WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Ella Jay) reported recently that Cargill vs. Flair has been discussed internally for SummerSlam.

If WWE wants Jayne involved in the title mix as well, perhaps a Triple Threat pitting her against Cargill and Flair could be in the cards if Ripley can't go.

McIntyre Reportedly Not Expected Back for SummerSlam

Despite rumors and speculation to the contrary, Drew McIntyre reportedly may not be back in the fold for WWE in time for SummerSlam.

According to PWInsider.com (h/t Wrestle Features), rumors of McIntyre returning soon are "completely inaccurate," and there is nothing currently planned for him creatively.

While McIntyre is done with his filming responsibilities for the upcoming Highlander movie, he reportedly may have some other Hollywood projects on the horizon.

PWInsider's report comes on the heels of WrestleVotes on Fightful Select (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News) reporting that an "internal document" circulated within WWE earlier this month, and it included a link between McIntyre and SummerSlam.

WrestleVotes added that WWE expected McIntyre to be ready to return in time for SummerSlam.

McIntyre has not been seen since WrestleMania 42 in April when he lost a grudge match to Jacob Fatu.

Shortly before that, McIntyre dropped the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes, which left him outside the WWE title scene once WrestleMania rolled around.

With Rhodes in a rivalry with Gunther, and Fatu now on Raw with The Bloodline, there is no obvious spot to plug McIntyre into currently, which may partially explain why WWE may not necessarily be in a hurry to rush him back into the fold.