If you haven’t been glued to the screen for the last few months, looking at a list of champions WWE is going to feel like walking into a different dimension. Things have moved fast. Very fast. We aren’t just talking about a couple of random title swaps at a house show in Des Moines. We are talking about massive, landscape-shifting changes that have completely rewritten the hierarchy of both Raw and SmackDown as we head into 2026.
Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of.
The biggest shocker? The "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is no longer at the top of the mountain. After a grueling 159-day run, he dropped the gold in one of the most brutal matches we've seen in years. If you’re trying to figure out who has the hardware right now, you’ve come to the right place. Let's break down the current state of the WWE title picture.
The Heavy Hitters: Who Rules the World Titles?
The main event scene is currently dominated by two men who couldn't be more different. On one side, you have the "Scottish Warrior" who clawed his way back to the top through pure spite. On the other, a veteran who many thought would never even step foot in a WWE ring again, let alone hold a world title.
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Drew McIntyre: The Undisputed WWE Champion
Drew McIntyre finally did it. On January 9, 2026, in Berlin, he defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match. It was uncomfortable to watch at times. The match went through a standard singles bout, a Falls Count Anywhere brawl, and finally, a Steel Cage match.
The finish was pure chaos. Jacob Fatu made a shocking return and, while he was actually aiming for McIntyre, he ended up costing Cody the match. Drew crawled out of that cage as a three-time champion. Now, he’s heading into the Royal Rumble with a target on his back and a very angry Randy Orton breathing down his neck.
CM Punk: The World Heavyweight Champion
Over on Raw, the World Heavyweight Championship is currently draped over the shoulder of CM Punk. This one’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. Seth Rollins was forced to vacate the title due to a legitimate injury, leaving a massive power vacuum.
At Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI back in November, Punk defeated Jey Uso to claim the vacant seat. It’s his second reign with this specific version of the title, and he’s been leaning hard into the "Best in the World" persona. He recently had a face-to-face with Finn Bálor that suggests his next defense is going to be a technical masterclass.
Mid-Card Excellence: The Workhorse Titles
If the World Titles are about the spectacle, the Intercontinental and United States Championships are where the "workrate" fans live. The current holders are proof that WWE is doubling down on the "new era" talent.
Dominik Mysterio: Intercontinental Champion
Love him or hate him (and most people really, really hate him), "Dirty" Dom is the Intercontinental Champion. He did the unthinkable at Survivor Series: WarGames by defeating John Cena.
Yes, you read that right.
Dominik is in his second reign now, and he’s been dodging challengers like it’s an Olympic sport. He’s currently the most booed man in the company, which is exactly how he likes it.
Carmelo Hayes: United States Champion
"Melo" is him. Carmelo Hayes unseated Ilja Dragunov in an open challenge on SmackDown. The match officially aired on December 26, 2025, and Hayes has been a fighting champion ever since. He’s brought back the tradition of the Open Challenge, which has made SmackDown’s mid-card feel incredibly unpredictable.
The Women's Revolution 2.0: A New Guard
The women's divisions are arguably more competitive than the men's right now. We have dominant powerhouses and international sensations holding the gold.
- WWE Women’s Champion: Jade Cargill. She finally reached the summit by defeating Tiffany Stratton at Saturday Night’s Main Event. She is a literal force of nature, and so far, nobody has even come close to knocking her off.
- Women’s World Champion: Stephanie Vaquer. This was a surprise for many. After Naomi had to relinquish the title for maternity leave, Vaquer defeated Iyo Sky at Wrestlepalooza in September to claim the vacant throne.
- Women’s United States Champion: Giulia. The "Beautiful Madness" is in her second reign after taking the title from Chelsea Green on the first SmackDown of 2026.
- Women’s Intercontinental Champion: Becky Lynch. "The Man" added more history to her legacy by defeating Maxxine Dupri during the Raw on Netflix anniversary show.
The Tag Team Landscape
Tag team wrestling in WWE is currently a mix of nostalgia and nightmare fuel.
The Usos are back on top of the World Tag Team division on Raw. They defeated AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in late December to start their fourth reign as a team. It feels right having Jey and Jimmy back together with the gold, even if the family drama is always simmering in the background.
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On the SmackDown side, things are much darker. The Wyatt Sicks (specifically Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy) are the WWE Tag Team Champions. They’ve held those titles since July, having dismantled The Street Profits. Their matches are less about wrestling and more about psychological warfare.
And then we have Rhiyo. That's the powerhouse duo of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. They captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles from the Kabuki Warriors on the Netflix debut show. It’s a terrifying pairing—two of the most decorated women in the company working together is basically a "cheat code" for the division.
Why the NXT List of Champions WWE Matters
You can't talk about the main roster without looking at NXT. It's the pipeline. Right now, the NXT Championship is actually vacant.
Oba Femi, after a dominant run, literally left the belt in the ring and walked away after defending it against Leon Slater. He basically said he had nothing left to prove. A six-man ladder match is scheduled for February to crown a new king.
Meanwhile, Jacy Jayne is the NXT Women’s Champion, and Ethan Page is still holding down the North American title after a massive 200+ day run.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're following the list of champions WWE for betting, fantasy leagues, or just to stay informed, here is what you need to watch for in the coming weeks:
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- The Royal Rumble Factor: Historically, champions who enter the Rumble season with high-tension feuds (like McIntyre vs. Orton) are at the highest risk of "surprise" cash-ins or screwjob finishes.
- The Netflix Era: Since the move to Netflix, title changes have become more frequent on weekly TV. Don't assume a title is "safe" just because there isn't a PLE (Premium Live Event) scheduled.
- The Speed Titles: Don't sleep on the Speed Championships (currently held by Jasper Troy and Fallon Henley). These are defended in ultra-fast matches on social media and NXT, and they often signal who the office is looking to push next.
The road to WrestleMania 42 is already looking chaotic. With Cody Rhodes now in "chase mode" and the Wyatt Sicks looming over the tag division, the current list of champions is likely to look very different by the time the sun sets in Las Vegas this April. Keep your eyes on the "Open Challenges"—in today's WWE, the gold changes hands when you least expect it.