Injured WWE star Rhea Ripley makes surprise first appearance after surgery

It was recently revealed that WWE star Rhea Ripley got surgery to repair her torn meniscus injury, and she made her first appearance after going under the knife on a livestream.

Appearing on a livestream (via FadeAwayMedia), “Mami” was seen in a knee brace and had crutches leaning against the desk. Any doubt that she actually got surgery should be put to rest with this video.

Rhea Ripley’s first appearance after her recent knee surgery. pic.twitter.com/xbZ4YoVFDN

— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) August 9, 2026

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that she was in a brace. When she announced that she needed surgery, Ripley posted a picture of her leg in a brace.

When will Rhea Ripley return to WWE from injury and surgery?

The timetable for Ripley’s return from injury is unknown. She has not competed in a televised match since Clash in Italy on May 31, 2026. She did, however, compete at two house shows on June 2 and 3 after Clash in Italy before her hiatus.

Since she got surgery, it might be a while before she returns to the squared circle. Hopefully, she is able to come back before the Royal Rumble in February 2027 and WrestleMania 43 in April.

Currently, Ripley is still the lineal Women’s Champion. She defeated Jade Cargill to win the championship at WrestleMania 42 in April.

However, due to her injury, WWE held a ladder match at SummerSlam to determine an interim champion. Chelsea Green won it, but she has since suffered a broken orbital bone injury.

The future of the Women’s Championship is currently murky. Expect WWE to announce what it intends to do with the championship after its two champions got hurt.

Throughout her young career, Ripley has won four main roster world championships. She is also a former Royal Rumble winner and is a two-time Women’s Tag Team Champion (with Nikki A.S.H. and Iyo Sky). While in NXT, Ripley won the Women’s Championship and UK Women’s Championship once.

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