In a dramatic episode of WWE SmackDown broadcast live from Riyadh, Giulia ended Zelina Vega’s reign to seize the WWE Women’s United States Championship, shaking up the division and igniting debate across the WWE Universe. The surprising upset has fans and insiders questioning why Vega, a recent champion, lost her title to Giulia so soon after the NXT star’s main roster debut, especially considering the recent momentum built around the Zelina Vega WWE Women’s US Champion story.
Giulia’s Arrival Shakes Up SmackDown
Giulia, previously known for her success as the NXT Women’s Champion, made a quick transition to the blue brand only weeks ago. Her presence was immediately felt, signaling that WWE had significant plans for her integration into the main roster. Meanwhile, Zelina Vega had enjoyed a concise but prominent stint with the Women’s US Title after overcoming Chelsea Green shortly after WrestleMania in a post-event episode of SmackDown.
Why WWE Opted for a Swift Title Switch
There is speculation surrounding the rationale behind Triple H’s choice to end Vega’s championship run prematurely in favor of Giulia. Some point to Vega’s relatively underwhelming first time as a WWE champion, suggesting that her portrayal never fully established her as a dominant competitor. While Vega consistently delivered on the microphone and held her own in the ring, her “babyface” character restricted the emotional depth and edge she could bring during promos, lessening her overall impact.
The women’s division, still seeking further depth, may also have played a part. WWE paired Vega against established names like Piper Niven and Alba Fyre, but the division’s current structure lacked sufficient credible challengers for her reign. Introducing a recent NXT call-up such as Giulia into this scenario added much-needed unpredictability and excitement, eliminating any possibility of Giulia being fed to a champion struggling to capture momentum.
Assessing Giulia’s Potential and Vega’s Limitations
While Monday Night RAW recently welcomed Stephanie Vaquer and Roxanne Perez to its ranks, SmackDown secured Giulia, whose charisma and competitive potential were quickly recognized. A loss to Vega could have severely slowed Giulia’s ascent. The logic within WWE seems clear: betting on a proven Japanese superstar to possibly anchor the women’s division is a forward-thinking move, especially if Vega’s run had failed to energize the title picture.
Vega’s reign lacked the compelling storytelling and high-stakes matches audiences seek, prompting backstage decision-makers to consider a fast pivot. Giulia, despite language barriers, lets her in-ring prowess speak for itself. Her ability to connect through action rather than promos is a unique advantage. With the Women’s US Championship, Giulia can showcase her skills to wider SmackDown audiences, potentially becoming a weekly highlight.
The Strategic Value of the Women’s US Title and Giulia’s Strengths
Current WWE booking seems to emphasize the value of ‘work rate’ and in-ring consistency in defining the stature of mid-card women’s titles, taking cues from how Lyra Valkyria elevated the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Valkyria’s technical performances, even ahead of her bout with Becky Lynch at WrestleMania, were regarded as instrumental in raising the profile of that belt. Bayley, another key competitor in the division, has set her sights on these coveted championships, highlighting the high level of competition.
As champion, Giulia could drive the United States Championship to new levels of prestige, differentiating its identity from its counterparts. Her consistent displays may, over time, lengthen her legacy and cement her as a central figure within the WWE women’s division, much like Valkyria did for the Intercontinental Title.
Future Implications for WWE Women’s Division and Evolution
WWE could have opted to extend Vega’s title run until Evolution, yet Giulia’s emphatic victory suggests major plans ahead. By crowning Giulia now, WWE hints at her potential involvement in a headlining contest at the upcoming Evolution event, which aims to make history by featuring the most prominent women’s matches to date.
The anticipation around Evolution leaves speculation as to which contender will emerge to challenge Giulia, also known as “The Beautiful Madness,” for the WWE Women’s United States Championship. The answer is expected to take shape in coming episodes of SmackDown, with the outcome promising to affect the future direction of the women’s division, as well as the perception of the United States Title itself.
With a champion like Giulia, whose style and international reputation bridge the gap between NXT, Japanese wrestling, and mainstream WWE audiences, SmackDown is poised to experience a dynamic era. The strategic decision to make this bold title change reflects WWE’s intent to offer unpredictable and compelling stories, ensuring the women’s roster remains a focal point as the division heads toward Evolution and beyond.
