Rhea Ripley takes aim at WWE Universe ahead of SmackDown

Rhea Ripley stirred controversy on social media ahead of tonight’s SmackDown at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The former champion shared a provocative selfie on Instagram, deliberately concealing injuries sustained in last month’s parking lot assault.

The attack, orchestrated by Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan at NXT, left Ripley with a fractured orbital bone. After a brief absence, she returned to RAW wearing a protective mask. The incident hasn’t dampened her spirit heading into next weekend’s Women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series.

Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s UnSKripted show, veteran journalist Bill Apter praised Ripley’s return segment on RAW, particularly her confrontation with Morgan.

“That vicious headbutt to Liv Morgan – I popped. This is really good,” Apter said. “I thought her character was getting soft when she was with Damian Priest without The Judgment Day. She came back with a vengeance I haven’t seen in a long time.”

The rivalry between Ripley and Morgan intensified after Dominik Mysterio’s betrayal at SummerSlam, choosing Morgan over his former ally. Their feud could reach new heights at Survivor Series, where both competitors will step inside WarGames.

Ripley’s journey back to championship status remains uncertain after relinquishing the Women’s World Championship post-WrestleMania XL due to injury. The upcoming WarGames match could determine her path forward in the title picture.