Report: Rhea Ripley Sidelined Leads To SmackDown Division Changes
Rhea Ripley is the current WWE Women’s Champion on the SmackDown brand. There have been concerns for her injured knee coming out of Clash in Italy. With Night of Champions and SummerSlam nearing, WWE isn’t sure where that leaves Ripley, so some shifts have to be made. There have been significant shuffling regarding not only Ripley’s direction, but a number of women on SmackDown.
According to Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE was forced to make changes in the SmackDown women’s division heading into Night of Champions in light of Ripley’s knee injury. Varied adjustments have been made in expectation that the WWE Women’s Champion will be sidelined for an indefinite period. The company has already replaced Ripley with the Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton on the advertising and promotional materials for the upcoming PLE.
Original rumored plans had Ripley facing Jacy Jayne at SummerSlam and defending the title while Charlotte Flair would be taking on Jade Cargill. It is unsure how much of that will still take place. Outside of the finals for Queen of the Ring, we have not had any other confirmed women’s matches for Night of Champions. Cargill seemed to want to face Stratton for the U.S. Title based on her actions on last week’s SmackDown.
There has been significant shuffling regarding not only Rhea Ripley's direction, but a number of women on the WWE SmackDown roster, @WrestleVotes Radio on @FightfulSelect reports.Several plans have been adjusted in the event that Ripley will be sidelined for a significant… pic.twitter.com/TuixrpxPUF
