'It’s caught up to me' - WWE star Rhea Ripley gives devastating life update after serious injury
Rhea Ripley has left WWE fans devastated after officially announcing her lengthy absence from wrestling following a serious injury.
Ripley has not been seen on WWE television since June 5, having won the women's championship for a second time on night two of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
'Mami' defeated Jade Cargill to win the gold and then successfully defended the title at Clash in Italy on 31 May.
Ripley's absence from WWE caused concern and when attending a Power Slap event last month, Ripley revealed she had suffered "a slight tear" in her meniscus during an on-stream conversation with Nina Drama.
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The 29-year-old added that "she can’t bend it very well" and that her right knee "starts to hurt and throb".
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The hope for Ripley was that the injury would heal quickly without her needing to go under the knife.
Unfortunately, it proved not to be the case as the Australian has undergone surgery for the first time in he career. She took to Instagram to give fans the update, attaching a picture of her heavily bandaged knee in a brace as she lay on the couch.
Ripley wrote: "Life update. After just under 14 (years) in wrestling and doing sports my entire life… It’s caught up to me. Surgery was never a first option for me, but it got to the point that it was needed…First one down…Hopefully no more… I’ve survived, now it’s time to start thriving again so I can get back to what I love to do! See you all down the road."
WWE pivoted in new direction after Rhea Ripley injury
Ripley was inundated by messages of support from the WWE roster, with undisputed WWE champion CM Punk among those to wish her a speedy recovery.
She previously wrestled with a mask on after suffering a broken nose back in October.
No timeline has been given for the former Judgement Day member's return and given her immense popularity and star power, her absence will be felt.
However, WWE have already pivoted with plans at the top of its women's division on Smackdown.
With Ripley unable to compete at SummerSlam in Minnesota last weekend, WWE moved forward with a five-way ladder match for the Interim WWE women's championship.
Ripley was not formally stripped of the title as is normal practice. Instead, it was announced that the victor would face her in a unification title bout when she is cleared.
Chelsea Green came out on top in shock fashion at SummerSlam, defeating Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend and Tiffany Stratton to win her first world title.
The new development with Ripley's injury could mean that Green is upgraded to the full women's champion. She is due to appear on Smackdown at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday, with a title celebration likely in store for the Canadian.
Only one match has been confirmed for the show, with Flair and Cargill renewing their rivalry in the squared circle.
Topics: WWE
Josh Lawless