Rhea Ripley's injury alters SummerSlam plans for WWE women's matches

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Things have been pretty bleak for the top women’s championships in WWE over the last few months. Liv Morgan won the women’s world championship nearly 100 days ago at WrestleMania 42, but has yet to defend it on Raw, SmackDown, or PLE. This is likely related to the fact that former champion Stephanie Vaquer has been out of action since losing the belt at WrestleMania. Liv’s streak should come to an end on the weekend of August 1 & 2 at SummerSlam, as she is currently scheduled to put the belt on the line against Queen IYO SKY. WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley’s situation isn’t any better, as she has not been able to wrestle at all since suffering a torn meniscus in early June. As a result, WWE created an interim women’s championship that will be awarded to the winner of a 5-woman ladder match at SummerSlam. Jade Cargill and United States Champion Tiffany Stratton have already qualified for that ladder match, with another spot going to either Charlotte Flair or Nia Jax. An interim title match was obviously not part of WWE’s original plan for its biggest party of the summer. According to a new report today from WrestleVotes Radio, those original plans included a one-on-one match between Flair and Cargill, as well as Stratton defending the U.S. title in her home state of Minnesota. Neither of those ideas are happening now as a result of Rhea’s injury. Cory Hays of False Finish adds that WWE planned for Blake Monroe to be Tiffy Time’s opponent. It’s worth pointing out that Monroe has also yet to wrestle on Raw, SmackDown or PLE since joining the main roster after WrestleMania 42. Do you think a 5-woman interim title ladder match is a reasonable SummerSlam replacement for Flair vs. Cargill, Stratton vs. Monroe, and a (presumed) Ripley title defense? Let me know in the comments below what you think of WWE’s original SummerSlam plan, and which other women’s matches, if any, should be added to the card. In the meantime, you can check out the rematch between Giulia and Kiana James on…WWE Main Event.