2026 marked the beginning of what most view as the “golden age” of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Division, with teams left and right vying for a shot at WWE’s top women’s doubles prize. Teams like RHIYO, the Irresistible Forces, Kabuki Warriors, among many others, stuck their neck out to even be in the conversation for champion or challenger. At WrestleMania 42, we got the ultimate showdown with the champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend, defending against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, and the legendary Bella Twins.
For the better part of the year, all the teams mentioned competed for the spot, and even costing each other a run with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Once Legend and Jax won the title, they were basically defending it each week and making statements that they’re not here to relinquish the hardware that easily. That is, until multiple teams proved their merit, leading to this 4-Way for the title.
In spite of the star power and amazing ability all four teams had, only one could come out strong with the gold in hand, and that’s Paige and Brie Bella. Yes, you read that right. Let us explain. Before WrestleMania 42, Nikki Bella suffered an injury, and while she tried to rehab, the timetable did not align. So, in order not to spoil Brie’s WrestleMania opponent, she enlisted the help of an old friend. Paige makes her return after four years out of WWE and eight years out of in-ring competition.
Paige looked better than ever, cleaning house once she was tagged in. Paige even got into it with her childhood nemesis, Charlotte Flair. Paige ate a Natural Selection and was poised to get hit by Twisted Bliss. But Nikki Bella would still intervene, despite not being in the match, battering Flair with a Kendo Stick and allowing Paige to capitalize on the opening. Bliss would have his Twisted Bliss, but Paige would get the knees up.
In one fell swoop, Paige, in the middle of the WrestleMania 42 ring, would hoist up Alexa, hitting her patented Ram-Paige, winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles with Brie Bella. What a chaotic match with an amazing return. Welcome back, Paige to WrestleMania 42 – Night 1, and congratulations to you and Brie Bella for becoming #AndNEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
