Original WWE Plans For Rhea Ripley's Return Revealed

WWE originally had different plans in mind for Rhea Ripley but those plans were changed after speaking to the former Women's World Champion.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, talk within WWE initially had Ripley returning at SummerSlam or on the Raw after the August 3 pay-per-view. WWE ultimately altered those plans, in part, because Ripley told the company that she would likely be able to wrestle by SummerSlam. 

Ripley had been out of action since injuring her AC joint in a freak accident in April during a backstage attack from Liv Morgan. Ripley was forced to vacate the Women's World Championship as a result of the injury and the belt has since been captured by Liv Morgan after the vacant title was initially won by Becky Lynch. 

Ripley returned on the July 8 edition of Monday Night Raw as a babyface, interrupting what looked set to be a kiss between Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio. The love triangle was at the centre of the July 15 episode of Raw and Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Title has since been made official for SummerSlam. The August 3 pay-per-view will emanate from Cleveland Browns Stadium.