WWE may be about to make a major move with the Women’s Championship just days after SummerSlam.
Per TRNBCKL, the company could drop the “Interim” label from Chelsea Green’s title and recognize her as the official champion, with Rhea Ripley’s recent surgery potentially keeping her out for the rest of 2026.
Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez also reported “rumblings” backstage that Ripley could end up vacating the title, which would make Green the official champion.
More information is expected on tonight’s SmackDown. As of now, WWE has not announced that Ripley is vacating the title.
SuplexInsider @SuplexInsider Follow it is possible WWE will drop the “Interim” label and make Chelsea Green the official WWE Women’s Champion, as Rhea Ripley’s recent surgery may keep her out of action for the rest of the year.
(TRNBCKL)
4:32 PM · Aug 7, 2026Ripley revealed on August 6 that she had surgery to repair the meniscus injury that has kept her out since June. Surgery was not her first option but became necessary. She did not provide a return timetable, and no official date has been set.
Green won the interim title at SummerSlam on August 2, defeating Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton in a Five-Woman Ladder Match.
WWE is still promoting Green’s appearance on tonight’s SmackDown under the “Interim WWE Women’s Champion” billing, but the company’s own title history page already lists her as the full champion.
Ripley captured the title from Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42 and made her last successful defense against Cargill at Clash in Italy on May 31. Her final match before the injury was a June 3 live event in Lisbon.