Chelsea Green's face was visibly bruised when she returned to WWE television on August 14, a week after suffering a legitimate injury during SmackDown. The timing was particularly unfortunate, as Green had only recently captured the Interim WWE Women's Championship.
Green suffered a broken orbital bone in her right eye along with head trauma during the August 7 episode of SmackDown. She was teaming with Tiffany Stratton against Fatal Influence, with Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid representing the Women's Tag Team Champions.
The injury happened during the closing moments of the match. Fatal Influence attempted their Rolling Encore finishing move, but Reid landed awkwardly on Green's head and face. Although the impact did not initially appear severe on television, Green was left with a fracture and significant swelling.
She was taken to a local emergency room following the match to receive treatment for the facial injury and head trauma. The resulting damage left Green with a pronounced bruise and black eye.
The setback came just five days after Green's biggest accomplishment of her current WWE run. She had won the Interim WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam in a ladder match, stepping into the championship picture after Rhea Ripley's knee injury left the division without its lineal champion.
Green's appearance on the August 14 episode of SmackDown provided an early look at the injury, with the bruising around her eye making the extent of the damage clear.
Is Chelsea Green Relinquishing the Interim WWE Women's Championship
Green's injury did not result in her being stripped of the championship. General Manager Nick Aldis addressed the situation on the August 14 episode of SmackDown and opted to give the champion an opportunity to recover.
Aldis granted Green a 30-day window to heal from the broken orbital bone, receive medical clearance and prepare for a mandatory title defense. The decision allows her to remain recognized as the Interim WWE Women's Champion while she recovers.
That gives Green some time to focus on her health before she has to return to championship competition. Her next title defense will depend on when she is medically cleared within that window.
For now, Green remains champion despite the injury that left her with a visibly damaged right eye. Her brief reign has already taken an unexpected turn, but WWE has chosen to give her an opportunity to recover rather than immediately take the title away.
