On Monday, WWE superstar Rhea Ripley made a tough decision, vacating the Women's World Championship following a shoulder injury that will keep her out of competition for an undisclosed period.
Reports emerged on Monday afternoon indicating that Ripley sustained the injury during a backstage segment on "Monday Night Raw" following WrestleMania 40. In the segment, Liv Morgan, in her ongoing pursuit to dethrone Ripley, launched an attack using a chair and forcefully slammed Ripley into a hallway wall. It is believed that Ripley's shoulder collided with the wall, resulting in the injury.
During the most recent episode of "Monday Night Raw" on April 15, Ripley appeared at the beginning of the show wearing a sling to address the attack and reveal her injury. She announced that she would be sidelined "for quite a few months," laying down her title on the ring mat. However, Ripley vowed to reclaim the championship upon her return, stating, "When I come back, I'm coming back for blood."
Ripley's reign as Women's World Champion lasted for an impressive 380 days, surpassing Bayley's previous record of 379 days, making it the longest reign in WWE history. Ripley initially won the title, then known as the Smackdown Women's Championship, at WrestleMania 39 by defeating Charlotte Flair on April 1, 2023. Following her move to "Raw" after the 2023 WWE Draft, the title was rebranded as the Women's World Championship with a new design.
As of now, the timetable for Ripley's return to action remains uncertain, leaving fans eagerly awaiting her comeback to the ring.
