Crowd connection; Betraying a friend and more - 5 signs Tiffany Stratton will leave SummerSlam as the new WWE Women's Champion
Bayley will defend her WWE Women's Championship against Nia Jax at SummerSlam, but Tiffany Stratton may be the one to leave Cleveland as the new champion. The former NXT Women's Champion has had a lot of success just five months into her tenure on the main roster. She competed in Queen of the Ring and won this year's Money in the Bank contract.
The Center of the Universe has been a major star in the championship feud leading up to SummerSlam. Miss Money in the Bank has recently allied with the challenger, however, there have been multiple teases that she might betray her partner to win the title.
The next five signs point to the strong possibility of Tiffany Stratton leaving the upcoming premium live event as the new WWE Women's Champion.
#5. The WWE Universe already loves Tiffany Stratton
Getting the crowd behind a star isn't always black and white. Having the "It Factor" helps as does overwhelming charisma, great promo skills, and top-notch in-ring talent.
Over the past few years, many stars tried to connect with the audience. Stratton, on the other hand, instantly had fans chanting "Tiffy Time" upon her SmackDown debut.
The Australian crowd loudly cheered for her during the Elimination Chamber contest. The fans have already connected with Stratton and would accept her winning the title at SummerSlam.
#4. SmackDown needs another credible top star in the women's division
Bayley, Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Naomi were the top four women on SmackDown following the 2024 WWE Draft. Bianca has been in the title picture for the last three years but pivoted to tag team action with the arrival of Cargill.
They already had an uneventful run as Women's Tag Team Champions and Naomi has played the same role she did before her departure in 2022. Charlotte Flair would have obviously filled another slot and probably have won the title already.
Both the Draft and injuries have reshaped both rosters and Stratton has proven she can handle the pressure right away. She could easily fill a slot as one of the main stars of SmackDown's women's division with a big win at SummerSlam.
#3. She's already tried to cash in behind Nia's back
The fun of Money in the Bank always revolves around what happens when the contract holder attempts to cash in their briefcase.
Austin Theory tried numerous times but was consistently thwarted by the Bloodline, Drew McIntyre, and even Brock Lesnar. Stratton already tried to cash in once before and it just happened to be after Nia Jax had decimated Bayley.
She waited until Jax was leaving the ring before handing the case to the referee. A cash-in has already been teased so it will be hard for Stratton to resist doing so again under the bright lights at SummerSlam.
#2. She's called The Center of the Universe for a reason
Stratton's gimmick in NXT 2.0 started as a spoiled rich girl who got whatever she wanted from her rich father. Once 2.0 slowly pivoted back to more realistic gimmicks, Stratton maintained the selfish, arrogant persona while ditching the "daddy's girl" aspect.
She started using the nickname "The Center of the Universe" instead but continued to crave the spotlight and gold. That gimmick relies on her selfish nature and one that could easily extend to using a supposed friend for her own ends.
SummerSlam is a huge stage and will be the center of the wrestling universe on August 3. Stratton will crave that spotlight and could easily forget her alliance with Nia Jax to obtain her ultimate goal, the WWE Women's title.
#1. Bayley is already a vulnerable target at SummerSlam
While Bayley has been one of the backbones of the women's division, she's also one of the Four Horsewomen who routinely put over other stars. She did so against Charlotte Flair numerous times and did so again and again for Bianca Belair over the last three years.
The Role Model is no doubt worthy of holding a title, but since she isn't a super face like Flair, Belair, or even Becky Lynch, she's more vulnerable than other stars. Jax has battered and pinned Bayley in the build-up of their feud.
The Champ will be vulnerable even if she beats the 2024 Queen of the Ring, and Stratton will no doubt take advantage of that at SummerSlam.