WWE Stripped Rhea Ripley of Women's Championship

Rhea Ripley vacated her title following a severe knee injury sustained during a match in Italy.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Wrestling

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing a dynamic professional wrestler in a ring, captured in a high-intensity stage-lit environment. — WWE officially stripped Rhea Ripley of the Women's Championship title on Tuesday, following a severe meniscus injury she sustained during a match in Italy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

WWE has stripped Rhea Ripley of the Women's Championship title due to a torn meniscus in her right knee. The injury occurred during a match against The Storm at Clash in Italy.

Why it matters

Ripley's absence from programming necessitated the removal of the title to ensure the continuity of the division. Her injury forced a change in the championship hierarchy within the organization.

Rhea Ripley initially secured the title at WrestleMania 42. The championship was subsequently contested in a Five-Way Ladder Match at SummerSlam to determine an interim successor.

The players

Rhea Ripley

She is a prominent professional wrestler who held the WWE Women's Championship until her recent injury.

Chelsea Green

She is a professional wrestler who was promoted to the status of permanent WWE Women's Champion.

WWE

This is a global professional wrestling organization that manages championship titles and programming.

The Storm

This wrestler competed against Rhea Ripley in the match where the knee injury occurred.

The details

Following the injury to Ripley's right meniscus, WWE officials moved to strip her of the championship status she held since WrestleMania 42. Chelsea Green ultimately emerged as the permanent Women's Champion after winning the interim title at SummerSlam.

Rhea Ripley won the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 42.
Chelsea Green won the Interim Women's Championship at SummerSlam.

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Season Trajectory

This move fundamentally alters the competitive landscape of the women's division for the remainder of the season. The promotion of Chelsea Green to permanent status resets the hierarchy as the roster shifts toward new challengers.

Chelsea Green is now the sole holder of the Women's Championship, effectively closing the interim title period that began at SummerSlam. This change settles the top of the division's power rankings and shifts potential future matchups.

The takeaway

Injuries in professional wrestling frequently force organizations to pivot their long-term creative plans rapidly. Fans should anticipate a restructured division as new challengers emerge to face the permanent champion.