WWE reportedly scrapped several planned matches after accepting that Ripley would miss the event
Summary
– Rhea Ripley’s torn meniscus reportedly forced WWE to change several SummerSlam matches
– Plans for Jade Cargill against Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton’s title defense were dropped
– WWE will crown an interim champion before holding a unification match when Ripley returns
Rhea Ripley’s knee injury has reportedly forced WWE to make several major changes to its SummerSlam lineup.
WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that Ripley’s torn meniscus affected multiple creative plans for the August 1 and August 2 events.
One proposed match would have featured Jade Cargill challenging Charlotte Flair for a championship.
That match is no longer expected to take place as originally planned.
Tiffany Stratton was also reportedly scheduled to defend the WWE Women’s United States Championship in her home state of Minnesota.
WWE changed that plan and placed Stratton in a five-woman ladder match for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship.
The company had hoped Ripley could recover in time for SummerSlam.
However, several people backstage reportedly encouraged her to stop targeting the event and take all the time needed to recover properly.
WWE officials were concerned that returning too quickly could worsen the injury and create a more serious problem later in the year.
Ripley previously said the meniscus tear occurred in an unusual area, making her recovery timeline difficult to predict.
She explained that her knee had improved after more than a month away, but it still hurt and throbbed.
Ripley also said she was unable to bend or stand normally because of limited movement in her knee.
WWE has now accepted that Ripley will not be cleared for SummerSlam.
The company does not plan to strip her of the championship.
Instead, an interim champion will be crowned in the ladder match before facing Ripley in a title unification match after her return.
WWE is reportedly hopeful that Ripley will receive medical clearance sometime during the fall.
