WWE champion Rhea Ripley says she is sidelined by a slight meniscus tear in her knee. Multiple reports state she has been kept off “Friday Night SmackDown” for more than a month and that WWE has not provided a clear return date. One account indicates the injury occurred during a championship defense on May 31, while Ripley has described her condition as a minor tear. Because her recovery timeline remains uncertain, her planned appearances and title-related plans are also unclear. With Ripley absent, WWE is reportedly adjusting programming, storylines, and marketing around upcoming events. One outlet notes that her status for SummerSlam is still in question, reflecting the lack of a timetable for her return to the ring. Overall, the coverage aligns on the nature of the injury, her continued absence from weekly television, the fact that she is not currently back in action, and the continuing uncertainty about when she will resume defending her championship.