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Rhea Ripley Breaks WWE Star’s Back

By Lyle Kilbane • Published Jan 05, 2026 10:30 EST
Rhea Ripley screaming WWE

One WWE star has claimed to have been left with a broken back thanks to Rhea Ripley.

The first SmackDown of 2026 saw two huge surprises on the show. Randy Orton made his return to the show after several months out of action as he took out The Miz. Later on, Matt Cardona made his official return to WWE after re-signing with the company and finally consigning Zack Ryder to history.

The show also saw perhaps the final chapter of the ongoing rivalry between Damian Priest and Aleister Black. During their feud, Black has been united with his real-life wife, Zelina Vega, on TV, and she has given him the advantage numerous times in his battle with Priest.

Black and Priest competed in an Ambulance match on SmackDown, and again, Vega thought she had given Black the edge as she opened the ambulance door, but unfortunately for her, a coiled Rhea Ripley lay in wait. Ripley pounced on Vega before delivering a vicious Riptide.

Zelina Vega Unhappy With Rhea Ripley

Damian Priest eventually recovered enough to throw Black from the top of the ambulance before throwing him in the back of it to pick up the win.

Rhea Ripley mocked Vega on social media after the ordeal, and now Vega has responded, claiming that Ripley has broken her back:

Don’t hi Zelina me. My back is broken. Spinal.