Rhea Ripley Forced To Vacate Women’s World Title On WWE Raw

Sometimes it’s best to get the bad news out of the way first. Such was the case for the Rhea Ripley tonight, as the WWE Women’s World Champion kicked off “WWE Raw” by confirming rumors that swirled all day saying she was dealing with a serious injury and may need to vacate her title. That indeed turned out to be the case, with Ripley blaming the backstage attack from Liv Morgan last week as the reason for her now having to miss “quite a few months” and being forced to relinquish the title she has held since

Ripley entered with her right arm in a sling and though she raised her title to show the crowd, her entrance was otherwise devoid of its usual flair. Her face told the story even further, carrying a scowl all the way down the ramp. And when she took the ring, immediately, she addressed the issue at hand. “So, obviously, you guys know what’s going on right now, yeah?” she asked. “I’m angry right now. I’m pissed off. You know why? Because I’ve been told that I need to vacate the one thing that means the most to me: my Women’s World Championship.”

With the crowd chanting “bulls***,” Ripley concurred, saying, “Yeah, it is,” before laying down her belt and calling out Morgan, saying this was all because of her “stupid revenge tour.” Morgan took the stage, surrounded by security, and Ripley was soon flanked as well, with officials doing enough to keep the two apart, despite Ripley headbutting one guard and staring off another. In a backstage segment to follow, Ripley was embraced by the rest of The Judgment Day and she told them to keep the group on top before parting with a “Te amo” toward her stablemates.

PWInsider reports that Ripley was injured last week during a backstage segment between her and Liv Morgan, where Morgan attacked Ripley with a chair. No details were provided on the type of injury Ripley suffered, but it is believed to be severe enough that it could lead to Ripley being forced to vacate the Women’s World Championship on tonight’s episode of “Raw.” It’s unclear what direction WWE would take should Ripley be forced to vacate.

Though Ripley’s focus had largely been on Lynch over the past several months, the Judgment Day star has had issues with Morgan throughout 2024, since Morgan returned during the Women’s Royal Rumble match back in January. Morgan had missed six months of action before returning due to a shoulder injury, and was written off of TV after being brutally attacked by Ripley with a chair prior to a scheduled match between them on “SmackDown.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage News On Special Entrance Planned For Rhea Ripley At WWE WrestleMania 40

WrestleMania season means WWE will be bringing its A-game when it comes to the pomp and circumstance that usually surround “The Showcase of the Immortals.” One area that often gets a massive upscale is entrances, especially for popular champions like WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.

PWInsider Elite is reporting that metalcore band Motionless In White is in Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40 weekend, likely set to play Ripley’s theme song “Demon In Your Dreams” — for which Chris Motionless provided the vocals — before Ripley’s match against “The Man” Becky Lynch on Night 1 of the two-night event. Ripley told Wrestling Inc. in an exclusive interview at last year’s WrestleMania that she was attempting to set up such a performance in the future; the band was unable to appear at WrestleMania 39 because they were in Germany at the time.

It was at WrestleMania 39 that Ripley won what is now the Women’s World Championship, dethroning Lynch’s Four Horsewomen comrade, Charlotte Flair. She has now held the title for a full year, but she’ll need all the motivation she can get, as she’s not only facing a tough former champion in Lynch, but also entering WrestleMania with wrist issues and other lingering problems that come with an active schedule like hers. Ripley is also keeping an eye on more than just Lynch, as she’s been paying attention to WWE’s latest signing Jade Cargill and is so far impressed with the former AEW TBS Champion’s progress. Ripley even said she’d like to step in the ring with Cargill somewhere down the line.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rhea Ripley Receives New Women’s World Championship On WWE Raw

In addition to the major news behind the scenes involving Endeavor, the promotion has been undergoing some cosmetic changes as well. Specifically, the company’s world championships have gotten a bit of a facelift lately — after ceremonies were held for Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Asuka, who all received new title belts, it was finally Rhea Ripley’s turn on Monday night.

This week’s edition of “WWE Raw” started with WWE official Adam Pearce in the ring to introduce the reigning “SmackDown” Women’s Champion. When “The Eradicator” hit the ring, she was presented with the all-new Women’s World Championship. Bearing a similar design to Rollins’ newly introduced World Heavyweight Championship, except with a white strap, the title was secured around Ripley’s waist by fellow Judgment Day member Dominik Mysterio (who was welcomed by the live audience with a sea of boos).

Unfortunately, “Mami” didn’t get to bask in the glory of her new championship for very long, as Cody Rhodes emerged to issue a challenge to her “Dom Dom.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 10/18/2022, RAW & SmackDown Stars Appearing

Here is the lineup for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center on the USA Network.

Kevin Owens is slated to make his return to the WWE NXT brand on tonight’s loaded show to be the moderator for a segment featuring NXT Champion Bron Breakker, Ilja Dragunov, and JD McDonagh.

The three stars will meet in a triple threat match at Halloween Havoc this Saturday night. Owens announced the news in a video shared on his Twitter account:

Backstage News On Rhea Ripley’s Expected Recovery Timeline

Rhea Ripley’s current injury is not expected to be a long-term one according to Dave Meltzer on the latest edition of “Wrestling Observer Radio.”

It was revealed on “WWE Raw” this week that Ripley has not been medically cleared to compete in her scheduled “WWE Raw” Women’s Championship match at the upcoming WWE Money In The Bank premium live event, where she was expected to face Bianca Belair. While the company didn’t reveal any details about the nature of her issues, Ripley has since done that herself.

She took to social media to respond to a fan who claimed she didn’t look injured by stating, “Brain/teeth [injury]. Can’t see a brain injury. Stop being incompetent and reaching at nothing.” This is the reason why she has been written off television for now, but it isn’t expected to be a lengthy absence for her, as Ripley is set to be back fairly soon.

The Judgment Day star had shown a picture of some dental work she had done recently, which relates to the teeth issue she mentioned on social media. Ripley had braces put on the top of her mouth, clearly showcasing how the work had to be done in order to fix the injury she suffered.

Because of her injury, WWE held a fatal five-way at the start of “WWE Raw” this week in order to create a new number one contender for Belair’s title. In the end, Carmella picked up the victory against Becky Lynch, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, and Liv Morgan, and she will get her title shot at WWE’s Money In The Bank next Sunday.

When Belair announced the news of Ripley’s injury status, the EST of WWE did make it clear that she would still defend the title in the future against Ripley when she does return to the company, although there is no official date on when that is going to be taking place.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rhea Ripley Loses WWE Women’s Tag Team Title While Traveling

One half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Rhea Ripley, took to Twitter earlier today hoping to spread the word that her luggage has gone missing. Among the lost items is the Women’s Tag Team Title belt that Rhea travels with for press and appearances.

“*LOST GEAR BAG* My MosherZ of Albuquerque I know this is a stretch but, if any of you have seen a black travel suitcase around Office Boulevard & Montaño rd please hold onto it and let me know. It has all my gear in it, including my title. Cheers!”

It’s been noted in the past that WWE will give a replica title belt to their stars when traveling and doing press. They also have a series of championship titles made specifically for television that appear best on camera.

Rhea and Nikki A.S.H. (known as “Super Brutality”) have been defending their tag titles both on television and at WWE Live Events against Natalya and Tamina. They have been champions since September 20, 2021 when they defeated Natalya and Tamina in Charlotte, NC.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rhea Ripley To Have Theme Performed Live At WrestleMania 37

Rhea Ripley is set to have her entrance theme performed live at WrestleMania 37 this coming Sunday night.

New Years Day’s singer Ash Costello took to Instagram and revealed that she will be performing her “Brutality” single as Ripley enters the ring to challenge RAW Women’s Champion Asuka during Night Two of WrestleMania 37.

“By overwhelming demand, I am so excited to announce that I will be performing #Brutality LIVE for the most bad ass @rhearipley_wwe at #wrestlemania37 !,” Costello wrote. “I am honored to sing in support of such a genuine and strong woman! and as a wrestling fan, excited to a part of something I love. YOUR support made this dream a reality. Now this is all of our moment together. #wwe #wweraw #nxt #nxttakeover #wrestlemania #wrestlemania37 #metal #metalhead #rocknroll #badasswomen”

There’s no word yet on other special Superstar entrances at WrestleMania, but we will keep you updated.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Announces Rhea Ripley’s RAW Debut

Rhea Ripley is scheduled to make her official WWE RAW debut on Monday’s post-Fastlane episode.

WWE announced tonight that Ripley will arrive on RAW during Monday’s show. There is no word yet on who she will wrestle.

Rhea Ripley to make Monday Night Raw debut

This is her brutality, and it has a new home on Monday Night Raw.

Over the last several weeks, the WWE Universe and the Raw Women’s Division have been warned, and this Monday, “The Nightmare” Rhea Ripley will finally arrive on Raw.

Will Ripley be looking to put the red brand on notice right off the bat?

Find out this Monday on Raw live at 8/7 C on USA Network!

Ripley has not wrestled since the 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match at the Rumble pay-per-view back in January. Ripley entered that match in the #14 spot and lasted 39:06 before being eliminated last by winner Bianca Belair. She picked up 7 eliminations in the match – Toni Storm, Santana Garrett, Charlotte Flair (with Belair), Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose, Dakota Kai, and Alexa Bliss. Ripley’s last WWE NXT match was the Last Woman Standing loss to Raquel Gonzalez during the New Year’s Evil episode on January 6.

Ripley is the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Champion and a one-time NXT Women’s Champion.

WWE has been airing “coming soon” vignettes on RAW since the February 22 show. You can see all 4 teaser promos below:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rhea Ripley Coming Soon To WWE RAW

Rhea Ripley is headed to the WWE RAW brand.

There had been speculation on Ripley possibly going to RAW or SmackDown after her official call-up from WWE NXT was considered to be at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in late January. Now WWE has confirmed that the former NXT Women’s Champion is headed to Monday nights.

As seen below, a “coming soon” vignette for Ripley aired during last night’s post-Elimination Chamber edition of RAW.

Ripley was the #14 entrant in the 30-Woman Rumble Match last month, and was the last elimination, tossed out by winner Bianca Belair. She lasted 39:06 and eliminated Toni Storm, Santana Garrett, Dana Brooke, Dakota Kai, Mandy Rose, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair, with Belair’s help. Ripley’s last NXT TV match came on January 6 at the New Year’s Evil special, when she lost to Raquel Gonzalez in the Last Woman Standing match.

There is no word yet on when Ripley will make her official RAW debut.

Rhea Ripley Possibly Moving To Main Roster Soon

Former NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is most likely done with NXT and moving to the main roster soon, according to Dave Meltzer on the recent Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer noted that he had recently “heard talk of Ripley moving to the main roster” and Ripley losing clean to Io Shirai this week was another sign of the young Australian star moving on from NXT.

After their main event match for the NXT Women’s Championship, Ripley and Shirai embraced for a hug and it seemed to indicate that they were “finishing up their story,” added Meltzer.

Ripley faced Charlotte Flair earlier this year at WrestleMania 36 and has already been introduced to the main roster audience.

Source: Wrestling Inc.