Rhea Ripley Gives Injury Update in Video, Talks Timeline Ahead of WWE SummerSlam 2026

WWE women's champion Rhea Ripley provided an update Friday night on the knee injury that has kept her out of action for over a month.

Speaking during a Kick stream with social media creator Nina Drama, Ripley divulged that she is dealing with a "slight tear" of the meniscus in her knee:

When asked about a potential timeline for her return, Ripley added, "It's getting there. It's getting stronger. I just can't bend it very well. ... It's kind of a little bit up in the air with how fast my body recovers. ... We'll see how it goes."

Ripley last competed in a televised match at Clash in Italy on May 31 when she successfully defended the WWE women's title against Jade Cargill.

She then wrestled in a pair of six-woman tag team matches at live events in France and Portugal on June 2 and 3, teaming with Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton to beat Fatal Influence both times.

On the ensuing episode of SmackDown, it was announced that Ripley was absent due to a knee injury, but no further information was given regarding the severity of the injury or when she would be back.

With SummerSlam on Aug. 1 and 2 now less than a month away, however, WWE may soon have to make a decision on Ripley and her title reign.

If she is not cleared in time to compete at SummerSlam, WWE may have no choice other than to strip Ripley of the WWE Women's Championship and place the vacated title up for grabs in a match involving other talent.

The WWE Women's Championship is among the biggest prizes in the company, and it is fair to assume that the creative team would like to make that title part of one of the top premium live events of the year.