Charlotte Flair finds herself on the road to SummerSlam 2026, as she secured the opportunity of a lifetime at the “Biggest Party of the Summer” on this week’s WWE SmackDown. It wasn’t an easy road for Flair, considering she didn’t even intend to go down this path with Nia Jax. But, of course, as CM Punk once said, sometimes “title shots fall out of the sky,” and that’s exactly what happened to Flair on this week’s SmackDown.
Charlotte Flair Advances to Interim WWE Women’s Title Ladder Match at SummerSlam 2026
On last week’s SmackDown, Interim SmackDown General Manager Adam Pearce divulged information regarding Rhea Ripley’s injury. She won’t be able to compete at SummerSlam 2026, and a timetable for her return is yet to be identified. So, WWE decided to crown an Interim WWE Women’s Champion until Mami is healthy and ready to battle it out for the undisputed championship.
Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton qualified, as the former got an easy ticket courtesy of Charlotte, and Stratton had a heck of a battle with Jacy Jayne to secure her spot and potentially become a double champion. Jax was on the receiving end of the loss caused by Charlotte, and she wanted her revenge.
Unfortunately, she did get her hands on Flair, but The Queen walked away with her hand raised and a step away from securing her first world title in four years. After a beating from Nia Jax, Flair would turn the momentum to her favor after executing a Powerbomb to Jax from the top rope. As Flair was on her way to secure the win, Jade Cargill and her crew would come to ringside.
Flair would take out B-FAB and Michin, and turn her attention to Jade Cargill, blasting her in the face. Jax would capitalize on it and have her up for the Samoan Drop. Flair would get out of it, only to get blasted by Jade Cargill, leading to the DQ and Flair advancing to SummerSlam. Jax was irate, as for the 2nd week in a row, she has been screwed over.
Cargill would put an exclamation point on this whole affair by hitting Jaded on Flair.
On the other end of the spectrum, Chelsea Green wanted to join her bestie Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton in this Ladder Match, but he had her work cut out for her as she faced off against Kiana James. It wasn’t looking all too good for Chelsea, as James dominated her throughout. But, of course, never count Chelsea Green out. After clawing her way back, Green would hit Rough Ryder, almost pinning James in the process.
After one failed Un-Pretty-Her attempt, Green would transition into another one, hitting it and punching her ticket to Minneapolis! The field is almost set as Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Chelsea Green and Charlotte Flair will compete in a Women’s Ladder Match to become Interim WWE Women’s Champion! Who will secure the final spot?
