Rhea Ripley made a surprise appearance at Power Slap 21 on 21 June 2026, becoming the first WWE talent seen publicly since she suffered a knee injury during her title defense at Clash in Italy. The event, streamed live on YouTube, took place in Las Vegas while WWE’s SmackDown aired from Bologna, Italy.

What happened at Power Slap?

MMA media personality Nina‑Marie Daniele posted a photo on X showing herself beside Ripley and fellow wrestler Mami at the Power Slap venue. Daniele, dressed in a pink corset, captioned the snap as "UFC and WWE girlies," and Ripley reshared the image, confirming her presence. The crowd watched as Ripley and her husband, AEW star Buddy Matthews, reacted to the slap‑boxing matches, describing the experience as "insane" and "nuts."

Why is the appearance significant for Ripley?

The knee injury Ripley sustained on 5 June 2026 against Jade Cargill forced her into a brace and an indefinite hiatus. Fans have speculated about her return to the ring, especially with Summer Slam looming. By attending Power Slap, Ripley signaled she is medically cleared enough to travel and engage with fans, a morale boost for her supporters and a subtle hint at an upcoming comeback.

How does this tie into WWE programming?

SmackDown aired on 5 June 2026 from Bologna, featuring Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton facing Cargill’s stable. Ripley’s injury was highlighted during the broadcast, but she did not compete. Her appearance at a non‑WWE combat‑sports show underscores WWE’s cross‑promotion strategy, leveraging athletes’ visibility across different platforms to maintain audience interest during recovery periods.

What’s next for Ripley?

While no official timeline has been announced, Ripley’s public outing suggests she may return to WWE action before the end of the summer. Analysts expect her to re‑enter the Women’s Championship picture once cleared, potentially targeting Cargill again. In the meantime, Ripley and Matthews continue to support each other’s careers, with Matthews commenting on the "crazy" nature of Power Slap’s competitors.

The Power Slap 21 event, promoted as a free live stream, captured a rare moment where a top WWE champion stepped outside the squared circle, offering fans a glimpse of Ripley’s recovery progress and hinting at future storylines within WWE’s women’s division.