Rhea Ripley ruled out of Fanatics Fest event due to injury setback

WWE Champion Rhea Ripley has been forced to pull out of a Fanatics Fest event just days before it began, after her injury flared up.

What happened to Rhea Ripley?

Ripley was set to compete in a non-wrestling physical challenge against Rob Gronkowski at Fanatics Fest in Atlantic City on 17 July 2026. The matchup was scrapped after doctors deemed her injury too severe for even light participation. Reports from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select confirmed her absence from the games, though she will still attend the event to take part in fan activities like the Rhea Ripley lookalike contest.

Why the injury matters for Ripley’s title run

The WWE Women’s Champion has been sidelined since 31 May 2026, when she defended her title against Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy. That event marked her last televised appearance, with her final in-ring match taking place three days earlier on 3 June 2026 at a live event. The injury has already derailed multiple scheduled defenses and left her without an active feud heading into SummerSlam.

Could Ripley lose the WWE Women’s Championship?

WWE has not yet made a final call on whether to strip Ripley of her title. Sources indicate the company is considering the move if she remains unable to compete by SummerSlam. As of now, no return date has been confirmed, and the uncertainty looms over her championship status.

What’s next for Ripley?

Ripley’s immediate focus is recovery, with no confirmed timeline for her return. The injury’s severity means she may not be cleared in time for SummerSlam, leaving her title in jeopardy. Fans and officials alike are hoping for a swift resolution so she can reclaim her spot in the ring.