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New details emerge on Rhea Ripley’s potential WWE comeback. In May of this year, concern regarding Rhea Ripley‘s health emerged after it was noted that she injured her knee during a live event in Italy. She then revealed that there was a tear in her meniscus, and although she was working on getting better, she was taken off television and SummerSlam altogether to ensure she could return fully recovered and didn’t want to worsen her condition. Initially, Mami wasn’t stripped of the Women’s Championship as there were expectations she might return sooner than expected; hence, an interim title was competed for in a five-way ladder match at SummerSlam, eventually won by Chelsea Green. Rhea Ripley then recently revealed that she underwent knee surgery. Mami continued that it wasn’t her first option, but after more than a decade in the industry, she needed to undergo the procedures, which she hopes will be her first and only. Now, an update regarding the future of Mami has been made. In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer shared that those in WWE are hopeful for Rhea Ripley to return in time for Royal Rumble 2027. The premium live event is scheduled for February at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Well, it looks likely now that this will end up being the women’s title and not the interim title, since Rhea Ripley just had knee surgery. The hope right now is that Ripley would be back for the Royal Rumble show.” The current hope within WWE is that Rhea Ripley will be back in time for the Royal Rumble. (@WONF4W) pic.twitter.com/8QoG0JHnNj — EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) August 7, 2026 Women’s Championship Relinquished By Rhea Ripley On WWE SmackDown As mentioned above, Chelsea Green overcame the likes of Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, and Lash Legend to become the interim Women’s Champion. Many fans clamored to make her the official titleholder instead in Mami’s absence, with the audience’s comments heard on this week’s SmackDown. On the latest WWE SmackDown episode, Chelsea Green was officially named the new Women’s Champion and came out to celebrate the win. While cutting a promo thanking fans and Tiffany Stratton, who later joined her in the ring. However, their moment was spoiled by Fatal Influence, prompting a Women’s Tag Team title match in the same episode.