Jade Cargill won the WWE Title from Tiffany Stratton on the Saturday Night Main Event episode on November 1. Ever since that title change, Cargill has only defended the title once against Jordynne Grace but has been feuding with the likes of Michin, B-Fab, Alba Fyre, and Chelsea Green. Meanwhile, she awaits the Elimination Chamber Winner, who will be her WrestleMania opponent.
Cargill receives some harsh criticism as champ. Although her physique and aura give the vibe of a top star, she can be somewhat green in the ring as well as one-dimensional with her character. However, Goldberg had the same issue and became a legend so that Cargill could become a top star despite this setback. As WWE approaches ‘Mania 42, here are three major threats to Cargill’s title reign.
Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton still has a rematch clause for the WWE Title that she lost to Cargill. However, it seems WWE is ignoring that because Stratton never got her rematch and has already qualified for the Elimination Chamber. Stratton will definitely want revenge for that one-sided beatdown she received, so it makes sense for her to win the Chamber and try to win the title back from Cargill at Mania 42.
Furthermore, Stratton and Cargill only had two one-on-one title matches. At SummerSlam 2025, Stratton, the heel champ, retained the title against Jade Cargill, the babyface winner of the QOTR Tournament. At SNME XLI in November, their babyface-heel roles were reversed with the heel Cargill dethroning babyface Stratton. Since they are one win apiece, they can settle the score at Mania.
Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is always a threat to the world title, as she is well established in the main event scene. She is currently a 14-time WWE Women’s Champion and only needs four more to surpass John Cena’s title record. She even teased a future showdown with Cargill on random episodes of SmackDown, so it would be difficult to neglect the idea that Flair would get a title shot at some point in 2026.
It was initially questionable as to why Charlotte lost her Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match to Kiana James, as Charlotte has never competed in an Elimination Chamber Match throughout her entire career. However, Charlotte does not need the Royal Rumble or the Elimination Chamber to get a title shot at Mania. As the “nepo queen,” she can insert herself in a title match at Mania by existing.
Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair is rumored to return in 2026 from her debilitating finger injury. She recently had surgery on her finger and is currently recovering. Her main target will obviously be Cargill due to the storyline they had with Naomi. WWE is stalling Cargill’s title reign until Belair returns, since everyone knows that it’s a money match with an engaging storyline that is worth telling.
Belair will call out Cargill for immorally bullying all the women in the locker room. Since Belair took Cargill under her wing, she would be disappointed in her new attitude. Cargill will still be angry at Belair for suspiciously teaming with Naomi for the tag titles after Naomi heinously attacked her on the windshield of a car last year. Belair could very well confront Cargill at Mania for a big surprise.
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