When will Rhea Ripley return to WWE? What we know
Rhea Ripley has been riding a massive wave of success in her professional wrestling career for the last few years, especially during her time with The Judgment Day. However, 2024 has been a bumpy ride for Mami.
Although she defended her Women's World Championship twice this year, Mami had to vacate the title as she sustained an injury following WrestleMania XL. She was off WWE programming for a while after that.
Upon her return, Ripley was shockingly kicked out of The Judgment Day when her now-former on-screen boyfriend, Dominik Mysterio, betrayed her to side with Liv Morgan at SummerSlam 2024. Unfortunately, Mami is once again out of action after suffering another legitimate injury, and as a result, fans have been wondering when Rhea will be back in action.
Ripley reportedly suffered a fractured right orbital socket and, according to Google, this type of injury typically needs four to six weeks to recover. Additionally, WWE conducts check-ups before they medically clear any injured superstar to compete in the ring again. Hence, keeping all these things in mind, it seems like Mami will most probably make her return around the 2025 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event and before WrestleMania 41.
Another subtle hint was dropped by WWE itself as they advertised Ripley for the recently announced European tour ahead of WrestleMania 41.
Reigning WWE champion expressed she wants to face Rhea Ripley
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill successfully defended their WWE Women's Tag Team Championship in a Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Match at Crown Jewel 2024. Recently, in an interview with Good Karma Wrestling, The EST hinted at a dream match against Rhea Ripley.
The 35-year-old star noted that they both had been on opposite sides of the mountain and she was looking forward to having an amazing rivalry with Mami soon.
"You know, WrestleMania, we got our first titles at WrestleMania together in the same WrestleMania, I walked out as SmackDown Women's Champion, she defeated Asuka at that same WrestleMania and walked out as RAW Women's Champion. We were the last two in the Royal Rumble. We were on the cover of the video game together. Like, we've both been on opposite sides of the mountain. I can't wait till we meet at that mountaintop together and have that amazing feud and storyline," Bianca Belair said. [09:30 - 10:17]
It will be interesting to see when former Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley will be back in action.