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    WWE Forced To Pull Top SmackDown Champion From Night Of Champions 2026 – Report

    Gossip
    Runfyers
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    WWE hosted Night of Champions 2026 on June 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show featured six bouts, including the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. The company was reportedly forced to pull a top champion from the card.

    According to Fightful Select, the reigning WWE Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, was initially planned for the show. However, since The Eradicator is currently sidelined with a legitimate knee injury, the company was forced to pivot and book another bout.

    The Women’s United States Championship match was reportedly added to the card due to Ripley’s injury. At the event, Tiffany Stratton defended the Women’s United States Title against Jade Cargill. The bout saw interference from Michin, B-Fab, Chelsea Green, and ultimately Charlotte Flair, before Stratton retained her title.

    It remains to be seen when Mami returns to television as WWE heads into the SummerSlam season.

    Rhea Ripley sends a message to IYO SKY after her WWE Queen of the Ring victory

    The second match of Night of Champions saw Liv Morgan and IYO SKY collide in the final of the Queen of the Ring Tournament. After a back-and-forth bout, The Genius of the Sky defeated Morgan with her signature Over the Moonsault and punched her ticket to SummerSlam.

    SKY wasted no time in choosing her opponent for The Biggest Party of the Summer, as she declared she would be facing Morgan for the Women’s World Championship.

    SKY’s best friend and former tag team partner, Rhea Ripley, sent her a message following her massive win. On X, Mami sent a congratulatory message to The Genius of the Sky.

    “That’s my Queen!!!!🥹❤️👑✨,” Ripley wrote.

    Ripley and SKY, known as RHIYO, are former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Despite being heated rivals before, the two found mutual respect and joined forces.

    The fan-favorite duo won the titles in January this year and went on to defend them against various teams before losing to Lash Legend and Nia Jax before WrestleMania 42. SKY also helped Rhea during her championship match against Jade Cargill at The Show of Shows. Their run as a tag team ended after Ripley moved to SmackDown.