If fans want to compare the SmackDown’s Women’s Division from 2025 to 2026, there has been a slight improvement shown. The shift of the whole dynamic started when Jade Cargill defeated Tiffany Stratton to become the new WWE Women’s Champion.
Now that Cargill is on top, the question has been what’s next for her and how WWE presents Cargill as champion. At first, Cargill has been asserting her dominance in the women’s locker room by beating the likes of B-Fab, Alba Fyre, and Chelsea Green. After two months of her reign, she finally has a challenger in Jordynne Grace.
In the tag team division, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair are feuding with Nia Jax and Lash Legend, while Giulia is lacking challengers for her United States Title. Although some of the current feuds are fresh for SmackDown, there is still more that can be done to elevate the women’s division.
Call Up More NXT Stars
WWE bringing NXT stars to the main roster as of late has done them wonders. For instance, Lash Legend made her debut on SmackDown, and she’s been on a brilliant role, carrying herself as a possible future star, by competing with SmackDown’s top women and also teaming up with a veteran in Nia Jax.
Specifically, the women’s midcard scene needs a big change. The WWE Women’s United States Championship has involved the same women, such as Green, Zelina Vega, and Giulia. With Giulia holding the U.S Title once again, she needs new challengers. Some names WWE can call up from NXT could be Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice.
Jordan and Giulia have faced each other before in NXT, so it would be nice for them to revisit one another, but this time for gold. Vice has never interacted with Giulia, but doing so would give fans something to be excited about. Having those two call-ups debut as faces can be a great way for WWE to build them up as possible challengers for Cargill’s belt.
For the tag team division, WWE can bring up Sol Ruca and Zaria. Those two have been such a formidable team, and seeing them perhaps set their eyes on the tag team titles can enhance the whole tag team atmosphere.
Start Using Inactive Competitors
The SmackDown women’s division sure has a strong list of talent who are inactive. Stars such as Michin, B-Fab, and Piper Niven are all out of action due to certain injuries. Two other names should return in order to increase the number of women on SmackDown. Two that come to mind are Bianca Belair and Tiffany Stratton. Maybe they’re being saved to return at the Royal Rumble. If so, WWE should take advantage of utilizing them.
Both have potential stories upon their awaited returns. Stratton still has unfinished business with Cargill for taking the WWE Women’s Championship from her. She can come back and set her sights on reclaiming what was once hers. For Belair, she has a history with Cargill, with whom she was once her tag team partner. Those two can settle differences at WrestleMania if Belair wins the Royal Rumble again.
Initiate a Draft after WrestleMania
If WWE really wants to improve the women’s division for SmackDown, having a draft is one way to do it. If Cargill is still WWE Women’s Champion after WrestleMania, then draft her to RAW alongside SmackDown’s other top stars. Other talent, such as Bliss, Flair, Jax, Legend, Giulia, and Kiana James, can move to RAW in exchange for Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, Natalya, and Naomi (after maternity leave).
New faces on different shows can also help refresh the women’s roster by grouping them in either the tag team, midcard, or the main event scene.
WWE can utilize their draftees against stars that weren’t drafted, such as Belair, Stratton, and many others. It would be a great opportunity to use underutilized stars, including Candice LeRae, as one. Instead of being by her husband, Johnny Gargano’s side, have her compete in the midcard scene.
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