WWE’s women’s division is delivering a richer mix of storytelling this cycle, balancing fresh feuds with marquee matchups while acknowledging the bumps on the road. After a period where most of the attention seemed tied to title belts and repeated “can they coexist” angles, a range of compelling angles are surfacing across the roster.
Naomi’s pregnancy has reshaped the title picture. Her relinquishment of the WWE Women’s World Championship left a vacancy that was already set to be filled on the big stage of WWE Clash in Paris. With Naomi out of action and Stephanie Vaquer’s spot on the card in question, the championship scene is wide open: will WWE elevate Vaquer quickly and put a rocket to her waist, or will the company lean on an established name like Rhea Ripley to anchor the division while fans crave the next wave of contenders? Either path would mark a notable shift from the recent pattern and could redefine the landscape for months to come.
Rhea Ripley, meanwhile, is at the center of an intricate, almost soap-operatic situation that could culminate in a dream match if given time and space. Ripley finds herself in a love triangle of sorts with Iyo Sky, Asuka, and Kairi Sane. Asuka’s insistence that Sky stay away due to their history adds tension, while Sky attempts to repair bridges with her old friends. Sane sits in the middle, a potential catalyst for a high-impact triple-threat if the stars align. If WWE can translate this dynamic into a high-stakes title bout on a major stage, it could deliver a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for the division.
Becky Lynch vs Nikki Bella looms as a marquee clash on the Clash in Paris card for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The matchup promises solid in-ring action and a meaningful moment for Bella’s arc, offering Lynch a win that reinforces her dominance while still giving Bella a credible chance for a late-career resurgence. The build to this match has already shown good chemistry, and fans should expect a competitive, crowd-pleasing affair that advances both performers’ narratives.
Bayley’s recent vignettes have captured attention by signaling a potential character crisis between babyface and heel drives. The ambiguity around her direction has piqued curiosity: is Bayley pivoting to a fresh approach, or exploring a more nuanced hybrid persona? Either path could refresh her program and provide a new lens for future feuds, assuming WWE can sustain the storytelling momentum.
On SmackDown, the division’s momentum feels more tumultuous. Tiffany Stratton sits in the spotlight as champion, yet fan reaction has begun to edge toward fatigue, even as she remains a focal point. The switch back to a feud with Nia Jax has done little to energize the audience, underscoring a broader booking concern: fresh challengers need to be elevated with consistent build and meaningful matches. Meanwhile, Giulia’s status on SmackDown highlights another problem area—despite holding a title, she’s struggling to stay visible and active. A champion who slides off television for long stretches can erode momentum and fan investment, especially when the title is meant to be a primary driver of the show’s midcard and overall prestige.
Despite these bumps, there are still plenty of positives to celebrate. The division is cultivating multiple intriguing feuds at once, pointing to depth beyond the top title picture. The potential for a three-woman clash featuring Asuka, Sky, and Sane on a big-stage show could be a watershed moment if given the platform. The Clash in Paris card looks to deliver strong women’s matchups across different tiers, suggesting WWE is actively pursuing variety rather than recycling the same angles.
What this means going forward is that WWE has a clear opportunity to diversify the women’s division’s storytelling wheel. Elevating Vaquer or giving Ripley a decisive upper-hand in the title scene could seed new generations of contenders. Protecting and promoting the Giulia and Stratton programs with better TV time and credible build could stabilize SmackDown’s midcard and restore momentum there. If WWE can balance this mix—new stars, compelling programs, and strong on-screen chemistry—the women’s division could become a more consistently engaging pillar of both RAW and SmackDown.
Summary: The women’s division is exploring fresh angles and presenting several exciting possibilities, from title reshuffles to complex character dynamics. While there are booking gaps to address—particularly on SmackDown with Giulia and the Stratton-Nia Jax trajectory—the overall trajectory is promising, with fans able to look forward to meaningful rivalries and potential landmark matches in the near term. A hopeful takeaway is that WWE seems intent on expanding the roster’s storytelling repertoire, which could lead to a more vibrant and competitive landscape for the women’s division.