One of the most welcome recent additions to the WWE Universe has been the introduction of the women’s midcard titles. Last December, Chelsea Green defeated Michin at Saturday Night’s Main Event to become the inaugural holder of the Women’s U.S. Championship. Lyra Valkyria soon followed, becoming the first women’s Intercontinental Champion by beating Dakota Kai.
Green’s comic character and tweener capability made her a perfect first US Champion. Her reign saw the introduction of the Green Regime and the Secret Hervice, as Green fully leaned into her champion status in a way that only Green can. As for the less-experienced Valkyria, her start as Intercontinental Champion proved slow. However, the tide of momentum for these respective titles has turned.
An increased confidence on the mic and an acclaimed rivalry with Becky Lynch have elevated WWE Raw’s midcard title. In contrast, the Women’s US Championship seems to have slumped in recent weeks, with new champion Zelina Vega’s run hindered by a messy defense at last weekend’s episode of SNME.
Zelina Vega is by no means an unworthy champion. The former Queen of the Ring has been a staple of the women’s roster since her 2017 debut. And while it makes sense for Green to try to regain her title initially, the storyline has outstayed its welcome. So, how can WWE get Vega and the US title back on track?
Let the WWE SmackDown Mid-Card Stars Shine
That, after all, is why these new titles were created. Not everyone has the popularity or the power to challenge for world titles, and the Women’s US and Intercontinental Championships are here to celebrate the depth of the women’s roster. There are a number of midcard candidates who could credibly challenge Vega: Michin, B-Fab, Candice LeRae, and now, with Wyatt Sicks’ return, Nikki Cross.
Elevate the Titles With Challenges From Top-Tier Stars
WWE SmackDown has seen a number of big stars return recently. The likes of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair are now appearing regularly on the show.
The likes of Naomi and Jade Cargill could also provide worthy adversaries to Vega to help elevate the status of the title with some impressive defenses. It’s clearly working for Valkyria and Lynch, so why not recreate the strategy on SmackDown?
Promote Superstars From WWE NXT
Giulia, the latest high-profile WWE NXT star to jump ship to SmackDown, would be a great candidate to challenge for the US title. A global star in her own right, it’s too early to start challenging for the world titles. But she’s already built a big enough stock that could see her win the Women’s US Championship straight away.
Elsewhere, WWE NXT’s women’s roster is stacked top to bottom with talent on its women’s roster. Several superstars are ready for the main roster, and a US title charge could be a great way to bed them in.
More Title Defenses and Get More Superstars Involved
Since the US title’s inception five months ago, the championship has been defended six times. Thus far, four superstars have featured in those title matches. Three of those defenses saw Green defeat Michin as well. The point of these midcard titles is to elevate superstars and give them a chance to win gold.
Having the champion defeat the same challengers over and over again doesn’t lend any prestige to the title or the champion. It merely depletes its value.
The men’s midcard titles are always regarded as “workhorse championships,” which has helped to elevate both the champion and the title. The recent midcard reigns of Gunther and LA Knight, for example, have shown how a great midcard title reign can build a superstar’s popularity and momentum towards a main event push.
Gunther and Knight defended their titles against a range of opponents in different match types. On top of that, they engaged in well-planned, long-term feuds to make viewers care.
But as Valkyria and Lynch’s feud has shown, all is not lost. One good storyline, complete with a few impressive defenses, can be enough to get a waning championship back on track.
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