Chelsea Green, in her second reign as Women’s United States Champion, has kept the title close to her chest since winning it back from Giulia. The double champion went to great lengths to ensure she’s the “best and final” Women’s U.S. Champion. Unfortunately for her, on this week’s WWE SmackDown, General Manager Nick Aldis would not let that happen, even threatening to strip her of the title if she didn’t defend it.
So on this week’s 2026 New Year’s Edition of SmackDown, Chelsea Green defended the gold against the very woman she got it back from, Giulia. The two went at it, and surprisingly, Green was on her A-Game tonight. Unfortunately, she was not successful. Green had Giulia dead to rights with a Rough Ryder, but Kiana James would get the attention of the official, leading to a delayed pin.
Giulia would get her bearings back, delivering a Double Underhook Suplex from the top rope, followed up by a Northern Lights Bomb, as the first SmackDown of 2026 declares an #AndNEW Women’s United States Champion. Giulia made good on her promise, and now, she’s starting the right with the gold firmly back on her waist.
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