An interim champion is crowned when the current champion is out indefinitely due to an injury, and WWE recently did this during Rhea Ripley’s absence. Chelsea Green won the Interim Women’s Championship in a ladder match at SummerSlam, with the plan being to consolidate the titles once Ripley eventually returns.
According to TRNBCKL Gold, this was not always the original plan. The report noted that Charlotte Flair was a popular choice in the creative team to win the match. However, since WWE focused on Green and had Michael Hayes state that she wasn’t a championship-type competitor, fan sympathy began to rally behind her. Green continues to portray her abrasive persona, but key figures behind the scenes felt she deserved this moment.
The report also mentioned that with Ripley recently undergoing surgery, her return is expected to be pushed back even further. There is talk of making the “Interim” championship the official one. Ripley is anticipated to be out of action until at least the next Royal Rumble, where she could potentially earn a rematch by winning.
This approach would allow the storyline flexibility to lose without devaluing the title by having multiple interim champions, ultimately enhancing Green’s character in the meantime, as she has consistently shown willingness to contribute to the storyline.
