Referee on a wrestling ring
Referee on a wrestling ring Martin Martz/Unsplash

WWE Women's World Champion Naomi was pulled out from her scheduled title defence against IYO SKY on the 11 August episode of Monday Night Raw after being declared 'not medically cleared' to compete. The announcement was made by WWE just hours before the show aired from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, leaving fans shocked and sparking speculation over the nature of the issue. The company has not disclosed whether the clearance problem is due to an injury, illness or storyline decision.

Naomi's sudden withdrawal comes less than a month after her career-defining victory at WWE Evolution 2025. In the main event, Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank contract during a triple-threat match involving Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. The surprise move saw her capture the Women's World Championship for the third time in her career, and her first since 2017, according to Sportskeeda.

Her triumph was widely celebrated across the WWE Universe, with commentators praising her opportunistic strategy and in-ring performance. The win was positioned as a major comeback moment for the 37-year-old star, reaffirming her status as a central figure in the women's division.

WWE Confirms Match Cancellation

WWE confirmed the cancellation of Naomi's first title defence in a brief statement on social media and the company's official website, as reported by Sports Illustrated. The statement read: 'Naomi has not been medically cleared to compete tonight. Her scheduled Women's World Championship match against IYO SKY will not take place. Stay tuned for updates'.

No further details were provided, and WWE has yet to indicate whether Naomi's absence will affect her participation in future events, including the upcoming Clash in Paris premium live event.

Naomi's match with IYO SKY was expected to continue a storyline that began at Evolution 2025, where SKY was the defending champion before Naomi's surprise cash-in. The cancellation leaves uncertainty about the immediate direction of the Women's Championship picture.

With Clash in Paris set to take place in September, WWE now faces the challenge of reworking its booking plans. While no official replacement match has been announced, fans have speculated on social media about possible contenders and storyline pivots.

The WWE Universe reacted strongly to the news, with hashtags such as #Naomi and #WWERaw trending within minutes of the announcement. Supporters widely expressed concern for Naomi's health and frustration at the lack of transparency from WWE, with many social media posts calling for updates on her condition and clarity about her future in-ring appearances.

What We Know and What Remains Unknown

At present, the confirmed details are:

  • Naomi is the current WWE Women's World Champion.
  • She was scheduled to defend her title against IYO SKY on 11 August 2025.
  • WWE announced she was 'not medically cleared' hours before the match.
  • No explanation has been provided for her clearance status.

Questions remain regarding the cause of the medical clearance issue, whether it will impact her title reign, and when she is expected to return to the ring.

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