During this week’s episode of SmackDown, Rhea Ripley took a stiff blow to the face during her match against Giulia, which clearly hurt. And now the Australian star has taken to Instagram Stories to show off the shiner while sarcastically wishing her hard-hitting opponent a “Happy Birthday.” Still, Ripley has suffered much worse in the ring and remains one of the favorites to win next weekend’s Women’s Elimination Chamber match.
29-year-old Ripley, known for her toughness, has endured numerous injuries throughout her WWE career. Notable ones include a legitimate shoulder injury in 2024 from a backstage Liv Morgan attack, forcing her to vacate the Women’s World Championship, a fractured orbital socket, sidelining her for months, and a broken nose. This, however, is just part of life as a pro wrestler, where wrestling while banged up is considered the norm.
