Rhea Ripley is scheduled to be part of WWE’s major return to Australia in December, although the announcement currently concerns a special pre-show appearance rather than confirmation of an in-ring match.

On Location has revealed that Ripley and fellow Australian WWE star Bronson Reed will appear at an exclusive pre-show event in Perth on December 12, 2026. The event is tied to WWE Wrestlepalooza: Perth, which takes place later that day at RAC Arena.

The hospitality provider promoted the event as an opportunity featuring “two of Aussie’s biggest WWE names,” listing Ripley, Reed and Priority Pass hospitality as part of the experience. It is a notable addition to the Wrestlepalooza weekend because Ripley has been absent from WWE action since June following a knee issue that ultimately required surgery.

Ripley’s Perth Appearance Is Confirmed, But Her In-Ring Status Is Not

The announcement establishes that Ripley is expected to be in Perth for Wrestlepalooza day, placing one of WWE’s most prominent Australian talents at the center of the company’s visit to the country. However, a pre-show hospitality appearance should not automatically be viewed as confirmation that she will wrestle on the Premium Live Event itself.

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WWE and On Location have announced Ripley for the pre-show experience alongside Reed, but no Wrestlepalooza match, opponent or in-ring role for Ripley was included in the announcement. Her participation could be limited to the pre-show event, or it could be part of a larger plan that has not yet been publicly outlined. At this stage, the confirmed detail is her availability for the fan-focused Perth appearance.

That distinction matters given Ripley’s recent absence. She has been out of action since June, and in August she disclosed that she had undergone knee surgery. No additional medical timeline was provided with the Perth announcement, so there is no confirmed date for her WWE wrestling return.

Still, having Ripley attached to an event on the day of a WWE Premium Live Event in her home country is significant. Whether or not she is medically cleared to compete by December, she remains a central figure in WWE’s connection with the Australian audience. Her presence gives the Perth weekend a major local attraction beyond the eventual card inside RAC Arena.

Wrestlepalooza Is the Focus of WWE’s Australian December Dates

WWE is set to be in Australia in December 2026, with the tour centered around Wrestlepalooza: Perth on December 12. RAC Arena will host the Premium Live Event, giving Perth a high-profile WWE show built around an international destination setting.

The pairing of Ripley and Reed for the pre-show is an obvious fit for that presentation. Both are Australian names with established WWE profiles, and both offer immediate recognition for fans attending an event marketed around WWE’s return to the region. The announcement specifically emphasizes the exclusivity of the pre-show setting and the Priority Pass hospitality element rather than a traditional public meet-and-greet or a televised segment.

For WWE, involving local stars in destination Premium Live Event experiences can strengthen the identity of the show before the bell rings. That is particularly true with Ripley, whose standing in the women’s division has made her one of the company’s most visible performers, and Reed, who brings another recognizable Australian presence to the promotion’s plans for Perth.

The promotion has not announced the full Wrestlepalooza card. As a result, it remains unclear how the main show will take shape, which championships may be involved, and whether either Ripley or Reed will have a role once the televised event begins. The pre-show announcement provides an early attraction for the day while leaving those larger questions unanswered.

Ripley’s Championship Situation Changed During Her Absence

Ripley’s appearance announcement also arrives after a major development involving the WWE Women’s Championship. She had held that title until WWE decided to remove Chelsea Green’s “Interim WWE Women’s Champion” designation and recognize Green as the official champion.

That decision altered the championship picture while Ripley was sidelined. Rather than simply returning to the exact title situation she left behind, Ripley now has a clear point of interest waiting when she is able to resume regular competition. The fact that she was champion before the designation change underscores the importance of her absence and the impact it has had on the division.

There has been no confirmation that Ripley will challenge Green at Wrestlepalooza, and the Perth pre-show listing does not indicate any title-related confrontation. Any expectation of a match between them would be premature. What is known is that Ripley’s eventual return will take place in a WWE women’s title landscape that changed during her recovery.

Her surgery announcement in August made clear that her time away was not a brief storyline absence. Knee injuries can require careful rehabilitation, and WWE has not provided details regarding the procedure or a timetable for medical clearance. The December appearance therefore offers a concrete sign of her planned involvement in the Wrestlepalooza weekend without answering the larger question of when she will wrestle again.

Bronson Reed Joins a Major Home-Country Showcase

Reed’s inclusion alongside Ripley gives the pre-show event another important local connection. While Ripley’s absence and championship history make her status a major topic heading into December, Reed’s presence ensures the experience will feature two Australian WWE performers rather than being built around one star alone.

The announcement describes Ripley and Reed as two of Australia’s biggest WWE names, a framing that reflects the value of presenting internationally established talent in front of a home-country audience. For fans securing the relevant hospitality access, the pre-show is being marketed as a distinct Wrestlepalooza-day experience rather than simply an add-on to the Premium Live Event.

There is no indication in the announcement of what format the appearance will take. It has not been specified whether the talent will participate in a stage presentation, photo opportunity, question-and-answer session, autograph signing or another form of hospitality programming. The confirmed elements are Ripley, Reed, the Priority Pass offering and the December 12 Perth setting.

What the Announcement Means Heading Into December

The immediate takeaway is straightforward: Ripley will be part of WWE’s Wrestlepalooza: Perth day in a public, fan-facing capacity. For a performer who has been away from action since June and revealed knee surgery in August, that is a meaningful confirmation of her connection to one of WWE’s biggest international events of the year.

It is equally important not to read more into the listing than it says. Ripley has not been announced for a Wrestlepalooza match. No return bout, championship challenge or medical clearance has been confirmed. WWE has also not revealed whether Reed will compete on the Premium Live Event card.

December 12 now has an additional attraction for attendees in Perth, with Ripley and Reed set to take part in the exclusive pre-show experience before Wrestlepalooza reaches RAC Arena. As WWE releases more information about the event, Ripley’s potential in-ring status will remain one of the most important questions surrounding the company’s Australian stop.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.