Rhea Ripley recently sustained a visible facial injury during her singles match against WWE Women’s United States Champion Giulia. The incident occurred on the latest episode of SmackDown. The broadcast took place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Ripley is currently one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions alongside IYO SKY.
According to Wrestlingnews.co, the injury seemingly occurred when Ripley took the curb stomp maneuver. While both of the superstars have gold around their waist, the match was a non-title affair. The physical contest showcased the hard-hitting styles of both prominent athletes. Giulia dominated much of the match against the Australian powerhouse.
Rhea Ripley’s black eye 😬 pic.twitter.com/a8B0OseCMZ
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) February 22, 2026
However, the action was interrupted when Nia Jax and Lash Legend unexpectedly attacked both of them. In the end, IYO SKY rushed to the ring and made the save for Ripley. Currently, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are involved in a bitter rivalry with Giulia and Kiana James. The tag team division continues to feature several intersecting storylines.
Ripley is also scheduled to compete in the upcoming Women’s Elimination Chamber match. This is the third time Rhea Ripley has suffered such a notable facial injury in recent memory. In 2024, she suffered an orbital socket and broken nose injury that required her to wear a protective mask during shows. In 2025, she sustained a second broken nose injury.
That subsequent injury again necessitated the use of a facial mask to protect her face. It remains to be seen if she will require similar protective gear following this latest setback. Ripley has consistently shown remarkable toughness by working through various physical ailments. Her resilience makes her a top babyface favorite among WWE fans worldwide.
The upcoming Elimination Chamber premium live event will feature Ripley battling for a world title opportunity. The winner of the steel structure match will advance to a championship bout at WrestleMania 42. WrestleMania 42 is scheduled to take place on April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Ripley aims to secure her spot on the marquee card.
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