We need to duke it out

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has been absent for a period, but hints about her next feud and opponent may have been established prior to her return.

Earlier this year, Rhea Ripley captured the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42, defeating Jade Cargill. In June 2026, she suffered an injury and took a break from the weekly shows. Subsequently, a 5-way Ladder match was announced by management to determine an interim champion, which Chelsea Green won at SummerSlam in Minnesota.

In an interview on ETalk, the interim champion expressed that Rhea Ripley is her dream match in the Stamford-based promotion. Known as The Hot Mess, she aims to validate her reign by challenging Mami for the title. Although the 29-year-old is currently away from wrestling, this scenario might be how management initiates a rivalry and sets up a future title match.

“You know, I’ve had 13 years to think about who my dream opponent would be, but I think it’s only fair that I say Rhea Ripley, considering I’m technically the Interim Women’s Champion, you know. And Rhea Ripley is the WWE Women’s Champion. I think we need to duke it out for a position of maybe permanent residency,” Green said.

Chelsea Green could still vacate the title on WWE SmackDown

After securing the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, Chelsea Green emerged as the leading champion of the blue brand. However, she sustained an injury on SmackDown post-SummerSlam, fracturing her orbital bone during a tag team bout.

In the following episode, Nick Aldis issued her an ultimatum: recover within 30 days to defend her title, or he would have to reclaim it. Currently, The Hot Mess is present on the blue brand but has not participated in any matches.

Meanwhile, competitors such as Nia Jax, Jade Cargill, and Fatal Influence are poised to challenge the interim champion. The developments around Chelsea Green in the upcoming weeks on Friday Night SmackDown will be intriguing to watch.

If you use quotes from the article, please credit ETalk and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.