New mid-card championship pitched for WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown has began its new era on the USA Network. The blue brand received a few upgrades after returning to the network for the first time since 2019. With a stacked roster, a new championship was just pitched for Friday nights.
SmackDown features several notable names, from established superstars like Roman Reigns, Bayley, AJ Styles, and Naomi, to rising stars such as Tiffany Stratton, Solo Sikoa, Blair Davenport, and Grayson Waller. Brand-specific titles include Cody Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship, the WWE Women's Championship held by Nia Jax, LA Knight's United States Championship, and The Bloodline's WWE Tag Team Championship.
Ms. Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton now wants Triple H to introduce a new mid-card championship for the blue brand. Stratton spoke with Gorilla Position and made the revelation when asked about the state of the SmackDown women's division. The 25-year-old suggested the first-ever Intercontinental Women's Championship.
"I definitely think we have such a stacked SmackDown roster. We have Jade Cargill, we have Bianca Belair, we’ve got Nia [Jax], we’ve got me, Naomi. I feel like there are so many big, strong talents on the SmackDown roster, I definitely think a mid-card title could be something that would benefit for the women’s roster, but I definitely think right now, we’re doing so good," Tiffany Stratton said. [H/T to Fightful]
The company's now-defunct women's singles titles from the past are the Divas Championship and the NXT UK Women's Championship. Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are the current Women's Tag Team Champions, but the original titles lasted from May 1983 - February 1989.
The NXT Women's Tag Team Titles were active from March 2021 - June 2023. Female superstars have also competed for the Hardcore Championship and the 24/7 Championship.
WWE NXT mid-card championship match marks end of an era
WWE NXT introduced a new women's mid-card championship this year. Kelani Jordan was crowned the inaugural NXT Women's North American Champion this summer after winning a Ladder Match over Sol Ruca, Michin, Fallon Henley, Lash Legend, and Jaida Parker.
Tuesday's NXT episode marked the end of the brand's USA Network era as the brand will move to CW next week. This week's show opened with Jordan retaining her title over Wren Sinclair in just under ten minutes.
Roxanne Perez is the current NXT Women's Champion of the company's third brand, but the Women's Tag Team Championship are occasionally defended in NXT. The current champions, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair will appear on next week's show to set up their next title defense.