Honestly, it feels like we waited forever for this. For years, fans screamed at their screens, wondering why the incredibly deep roster of women in WWE didn't have a midcard title to fight over. The men had the Intercontinental and United States belts to bridge the gap between "working the curtain" and main-eventing WrestleMania, but the women? They were basically in a "title or nothing" situation.
That changed in late 2024. But here we are in 2026, and the WWE Women's US Championship has already lived a lifetime of drama, weird booking, and "did that really just happen?" moments. If you haven't been keeping a hawk-eye on SmackDown, you've probably missed how this belt has become the most chaotic piece of silverware in the company.
The Night Everything Changed for SmackDown
It all started on November 8, 2024. Nick Aldis, looking as dapper as ever, stood in the middle of a SmackDown ring and pulled the sheet off a belt that actually looked... prestigious. None of that "butterfly" nonsense from the past. It was silver, it was sleek, and it finally gave the blue brand's women something to sink their teeth into.
But the road to the first champion wasn't just a straight line. WWE threw together a 12-woman tournament that was, frankly, a bit of a marathon. We saw triple threat matches, a massive injury shake-up when Jade Cargill got taken out backstage—replaced by the powerhouse Lash Legend—and a lot of "who's who" of the midcard trying to prove they belonged.
The climax happened at the revived Saturday Night's Main Event on December 14, 2024. Chelsea Green, the woman everyone loves to hate (or hates to love?), pinned Michin to become the inaugural champion.
Why Chelsea Green Was the Perfect (and Polarizing) First Choice
A lot of "purists" wanted a workhorse to win. They wanted someone who would go out and have 20-minute clinics every Friday night. Instead, they got Chelsea Green.
And you know what? It worked.
Chelsea treated that belt like it was the Holy Grail. She gave it a personality. She complained about the lighting during her photo shoots with it. She made sure everyone knew she was the "First Ever," a title she still repeats every chance she gets. It gave the WWE Women's US Championship an immediate identity, even if that identity was "tacky Canadian excellence."
But the history books show her first reign wasn't the forever-run she promised.
- Zelina Vega eventually shocked the world by taking the title in April 2025.
- Then came Giulia.
The arrival of Giulia changed the vibe completely. We went from Chelsea's character-driven antics to "The Beautiful Madness" literally kicking people's heads off.
The Current State of the Gold
As of right now, in mid-January 2026, the title is back around the waist of Giulia. She just beat Chelsea Green—again—on the January 2nd episode of SmackDown in Buffalo.
This back-and-forth has actually created a weirdly intense rivalry. Usually, midcard belts get hot-potatoed and lose value, but because Chelsea and Giulia represent such opposite ends of the wrestling spectrum, their struggle for the WWE Women's US Championship has stayed interesting. One wants the belt for the prestige of the "sport," and the other wants it because it matches her outfit.
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Basically, it's peak pro wrestling.
Hard Truths: What Most People Get Wrong
There's this narrative online that the women's midcard titles (this and the Intercontinental one over on Raw) are "participation trophies."
That's just wrong.
If you look at the matches Zelina Vega put in during her 63-day reign, or the way Giulia has defended the title in Riyadh and beyond, these aren't just props. The main roster is so bloated with talent right now that without this belt, women like Michin or Blair Davenport wouldn't even be on TV. The WWE Women's US Championship isn't a "consolation prize"—it's a survival kit for the roster.
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Statistical Breakdown (For the Nerds)
If you're a numbers person, the lineage is already getting interesting. We've had five reigns between three women.
- Chelsea Green: 2 reigns (Totaling over 180 days).
- Giulia: 2 reigns (Her first was 133 days—the longest so far).
- Zelina Vega: 1 reign (The shortest, at 63 days).
Chelsea is currently the oldest champion to hold it at 34, while Giulia is the youngest at 31. It's a veteran's belt right now. We haven't seen a "rookie" really break through and hold it yet, unless you count the brief flashes of brilliance from Lash Legend during the inaugural tournament.
What's Next for the Title?
If you're looking to follow the WWE Women's US Championship, stop expecting it to be booked like the men's version. It's more volatile. It's more personal.
The next big step for this title is likely a high-profile defense at the upcoming Royal Rumble or a specialized "SmackDown-exclusive" event. With rumors of more NXT call-ups like Sol Ruca or Fallon Henley hitting the main roster soon, the target on Giulia's back is only getting bigger.
Keep an eye on the Friday night highlights. If history tells us anything, Chelsea Green is probably already filming a TikTok about why she deserves a third reign, and Giulia is probably in a gym somewhere preparing to prove her wrong.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the "SmackDown Lowdown": Post-show interviews often give more context to the US Title feuds than the actual TV broadcast.
- Watch the International Tours: WWE has been using the Women's US Title as a primary attraction for overseas shows (like the Riyadh defense) to build its global prestige.
- Keep an eye on the Draft: If the rosters shake up again, this belt is the primary "leverage" for whoever leads the SmackDown women's division.