Giulia Becomes Two-Time Women’s US Champion During 1/2 WWE SmackDown

WWE SmackDown’s January 2, 2026 episode went down at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The blue brand wanted to start 2026 with a big episode, and that was exactly what they did for their first three-hour episode on the USA Network.

During WWE SmackDown this week, Chelsea Green defended the Women’s United States Championship against Giulia. Naturally, Giulia wanted the title once again, but Green wasn’t about to give it up without a fight.

This match went down during the show’s third hour, and fans in Buffalo were more than ready to see the action. The two wrestled until Green nailed a big dive to the outside, and then they went to commercial break.

When we came back from words from sponsors, Green and Giulia were still going toe-to-toe, trading shots in the middle of the ring. Green started to fire off on Giulia, and she eventually got a near fall.

Giulia avoided an Unpretty Her, and then Green got a pinfall, but Kiana James distracted the referee. Alba Fyre knocked James off the apron, but that gave Giulia time to mount more offense. The match continued with both women on the top rope, as Giulia nailed a double underhook suplex, and she kept the hold intact to nail a Northern Lights Bomb to win the title.

What’s your take on WWE’s booking for the Women’s United States Title match? Do you think that they’re going in the right direction? Let us know what you think in the comments section!