WWE Interim Champion Chelsea Green Suffers Orbital Fracture on SmackDown

Chelsea Green has confirmed she sustained a broken orbital bone during the August 7 episode of WWE SmackDown, casting doubt on her tenure as the Interim WWE Women’s Champion. The injury occurred during a tag team contest where Green, competing alongside Tiffany Stratton, faced the faction Fatal Influence, comprising Laney Reid and Fallon Henley.

The fracture was reportedly caused when Green executed the Rolling Encore, a move originally associated with Reid and Henley. According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Reid landed on Green’s face during the sequence, resulting in the orbital injury. Although the incident appeared to conclude the match without immediate distress, Green later confirmed the severity of the injury on Instagram, stating she required time to process the event.

Green’s status as interim champion, a role assumed at WWE SummerSlam while the primary titleholder Rhea Ripley recovers from a torn meniscus, remains unresolved. WWE has not yet issued a statement confirming whether Green must vacate the title due to the injury. Green was observed wearing the championship belt over her shoulder immediately following the match, but the long-term implications for the title’s lineage are currently unclear.

Medical assessments suggest an orbital bone injury typically requires four to eight weeks to heal without surgical intervention, though the severity can vary significantly. It remains uncertain whether Green will be able to continue performing in a protective mask during the recovery period or if the injury will sideline her for several months.

Backstage sentiment regarding the Rolling Encore has reportedly shifted following the incident. Alvarez noted that some within the organisation view the move as “not a good finish” given the resulting injury, leading to speculation that Fatal Influence may be assigned a new finishing move in the near future.