On Friday night, January 2, 2026, at the KeyBank Center, WWE SmackDown opened its new three-hour era with an explosive showdown as Giulia regained the WWE Women’s United States Championship from Chelsea Green, marking a surprise title change that electrified fans and set a somber, uneasy tone for the year ahead. This WWE SmackDown title change unfolded during the program’s first blue brand broadcast of 2026, captivating audiences with its intensity and high stakes.
Breaking Down the Tense Championship Rematch
The much-anticipated contest saw Giulia, the former champion, face Chelsea Green, who had entered the night as the reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion. Anticipation ran high as the arena vibrated with emotional energy, signaling a pivotal moment for the women’s division.
The ring formally introduced both competitors. As the bell rang, Giulia immediately went on the offensive, landing a powerful drop kick on Chelsea Green and launching her across the squared circle. Keeping pressure on, she executed a running kick that sent Green tumbling to the outside, before following her out and slamming Green’s face forcefully onto the announce table, then rolling her back inside to continue the fight.
The intensity escalated as Giulia briefly shoved Alba Fyre, leading Chelsea Green to answer back with a suicide dive onto Giulia outside the ring. The live broadcast then went to commercial, leaving fans hanging on the drama unfolding within the KeyBank Center.
Momentum Shifts and External Interference Add Chaos
Back from the break, both challengers exchanged heavy right hands inside the ring, with Chelsea Green momentarily grabbing the advantage. Green landed a clothesline, followed by a precise kick to Giulia’s head, and attempted a quick pin. Giulia, undeterred, kicked out just before the count of three, keeping hope alive for her fans. Green attempted her signature “Unpretty Her,” but Giulia countered with a decisive headbutt, resisting defeat. Green retaliated with a Rough Rider and seized the chance for another cover, aiming to end the clash.
Tension escalated as Kiana James distracted the referee, hoping to sway the outcome. In response, Alba Fyre intervened, taking Kiana James down and shifting attention back to the in-ring competitors. The chaotic atmosphere heightened as Giulia and Green traded blows. Green landed another swift kick to Giulia’s face and climbed the top rope, threatening to secure her reign as champion.
Giulia, refusing to relent, met Green at the top turnbuckle and unleashed a powerful right hand. She then delivered a breathtaking double under-hook suplex from the top rope, following up with a northern lights bomb that sealed Green’s fate and recaptured the championship.
Official Result and Memorable Moment
As the dust settled, the announcement echoed through the arena:
“Your winner … and NEW …”
– Alicia Taylor, WWE Ring Announcer
The crowd’s reaction blended shock and admiration for Giulia’s resilience, as her journey back to championship gold had not come easily. This hard-fought victory underscored both the fierce competition within WWE and the personal turmoil Giulia overcame to reclaim her status as champion.
What This Title Change Means for WWE’s Women’s Division
Giulia’s win sends ripples through the SmackDown roster, reshaping the direction of the WWE Women’s United States Championship and signaling renewed rivalries for 2026. The defeat leaves Chelsea Green facing uncertainty, while Kiana James’s intervention adds a layer of controversy that may spark future storylines.
This WWE SmackDown title change highlights the unpredictable, sometimes somber environment of professional wrestling, where alliances and outcomes can shift in an instant. With WrestleMania 42 on the horizon and new stories taking shape, the women’s division is set for a dramatic, emotionally charged year.
Giulia, now standing once again as champion, will carry the weight of expectation and scrutiny, while her competitors—Chelsea Green, Kiana James, and Alba Fyre—prepare for the next high-stakes clash as SmackDown’s spotlight grows ever more intense.
