Rhea Ripley has been out of action since Clash in Italy which has left the WWE Women’s Championship off of SmackDown. Her timetable of a return is still unknown.
Adam Pearce has made an announcement ahead of SmackDown this week. Ripley is not cleared to compete due to injury at SummerSlam. As a result, an interim WWE Women’s Champion will be crowned at SummerSlam in a Ladder Match. Five women will compete and qualifying matches will take place over the next two weeks to determine who will be in that Ladder Match.
When Ripley does return, she will face whomever is the Interim WWE Women’s Champion to find out who is truly the champion
WWE SummerSlam – August 1 & 2
- Women’s World Title – Liv Morgan (c) vs. Queen IYO SKY
- WWE Women’s Title – Ladder Match for Interim Champion – 5 Competitors TBD