As SummerSlam looms large on the horizon, there’s an undeniable air of discontent amidst the excitement. The WWE fans, never a group to shy away from controversy, are buzzing over the omission of Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley from the Biggest Party of the Summer, an omission that hasn’t exactly gone well from The Eradicator.
The Australian powerhouse, Rhea Ripley, known for her bold style and dominant presence in the ring, took to Twitter to express her displeasure. Despite being one of the biggest stars in WWE’s women’s division, Ripley finds herself sidelined for one of the biggest events of the year. Originally, the WWE planned to have Ripley face Raquel Rodriguez at the event but postponed it due to time constraints.
Ironically, the Nightmare is now only appearing in media promotions for the event, including a live makeup session for InStyle to create her SummerSlam look. Her retort to the promotion was a sardonic tweet and a shared GIF of actress Sarah Paulson’s character from the TV series, American Horror Story: Hotel, adding a layer of dark humor to her disappointment.
*SummerSlam media appearance look* for reasons we all know of. https://t.co/STnRbSrzRs
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) August 3, 2023
#SummerSlam https://t.co/Zcws7m6RDL pic.twitter.com/Fd8kOSYCz7
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) August 3, 2023
The beloved “Irish Lass Kicker,” Becky Lynch, also found her much-anticipated match against WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus pushed back from SummerSlam, further fueling the frustration. Originally hyped for August 5, the two will now settle their months-long feud on the August 14 episode of WWE Raw.
It’s worth noting that WWE’s reasoning behind these omissions is reportedly due to time constraints. Unfortunately, as the controversy simmers, the WWE has announced a major partnership with Slim Jim, resulting in a last-minute battle royal match for SummerSlam. Hailed as the most significant sponsorship deal in WWE history, this move is bound to leave a bitter taste for stars like Ripley and Lynch, who are used to being the highlights of any major WWE event.
In spite of the turmoil, this year’s SummerSlam promises a roster of thrilling bouts, including the likes of Asuka defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair. A unique MMA Rules match between former tag team partners Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey is another encounter eagerly anticipated by fans.
It’s undeniable that this year’s SummerSlam carries a distinctively different vibe. The conspicuous absence of the likes of Ripley and Lynch leaves a gaping hole in the event, and their expressions of discontentment add to the already simmering tension.
As the event kicks off this Saturday, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely, wondering whether the removal of the female superstars was a wise decision by WWE or not.
What’s clear from the present situation is that there is growing frustration within the WWE about the booking of the women’s division. However, one thing remains certain: regardless of the simmering discontent and the shifting match cards, the stage is set for SummerSlam to leave its mark on the annals of WWE history.
Whether that mark will be one of controversy or triumph remains to be seen.
If it’s any consolation, Rhea Ripley will likely still be in Detroit as part of The Judgment Day to support Finn Balor as he goes up against Seth Rollins with the World Heavyweight Championship belt on the line.
