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    “We need to duke it out” – Rhea Ripley’s first possible WWE feud after return

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    Runfyers
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    WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has been out of action for a while, but the seeds for her first feud and opponent might’ve been planted well before her return to the company.

    Earlier this year, Rhea Ripley won the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42 from Jade Cargill. In June 2026, Mami got injured and went on hiatus from the weekly product. Later, management announced a 5-way Ladder match to crown an interim champion, which Chelsea Green won at SummerSlam in Minnesota.

    Speaking on ETalk, the current interim champion stated that Rhea Ripley is her dream match in the Stamford-based promotion, as The Hot Mess wants to legitimize her reign by defeating Mami for the title. While the 29-year-old star is away from wrestling, this could be how management sets up a feud and a potential match for the titles in the near future.

    “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.

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    Chelsea Green could still vacate the title on WWE SmackDown

    After winning the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, Chelsea Green became the top champion of the blue brand. However, she got injured on SmackDown after SummerSlam, breaking her orbital bone during a tag team match.

    On the next edition, Nick Aldis gave her an ultimatum that she needs to recover in the next 30 days to defend her title. Otherwise, he would be forced to take the title again. As of now, The Hot Mess is appearing on the blue brand, but she hasn’t competed in a single match.

    Meanwhile, superstars like Nia Jax, Jade Cargill, and Fatal Influence are ready to take the title from the interim champion. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for Chelsea Green in the coming weeks on Friday Night SmackDown.

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