Tiffany Stratton has cracked 300 days as WWE Women’s Champion. The former gymnast is one of the bright spots when it comes to youth on the WWE roster. The women’s division is packed with young talent ready to lead the next generation and Stratton is one of the faces at the top. But she’s not going to make it out of Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title in tow. Jade Cargill will take that strap from around her waist.
It is Jade Cargill’s time. Her “heel” turn during the October 24 edition of WWE SmackDown was the moment that many were waiting to see. Cargill is a much better performer when she gets the opportunity to perform as a heel, and that was the move to make. Setting this match up was just the icing on the cake, and the title change is all but guaranteed.
There are a lot of reasons to recognize why now is the time to make the switch. Stratton holding the title for 300 days is a pleasant surprise. Many were concerned that she’d lose the title to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania. That build went left and got out of hand, but the ladies brought it together for an excellent match.
But since then, Stratton’s run has been mid at best. That’s not because of Stratton, but more because of the lackadaisical booking across SmackDown. In the six months since that match against Flair, Stratton has only faced three different women for the title: Nia Jax, Trish Stratus, and Cargill. SmackDown has such a stacked women’s division that only facing three women in that time frame isn’t a good look at all.
That plays directly into why it is Cargill’s time to take that title. Cargill has had three shots at the title, and each time she’s come up short. If she loses again, all of the momentum behind one of the biggest signings from AEW comes to an immediate halt. Online detractors look for any reason to take away from Cargill. Seeing WWE book, her to lose again would only add fodder to their foolishness.
There’s another reason to point out when thinking about Jade Cargill as champion. Bianca Belair’s return is on the horizon. Booking a feud between those women would be a huge draw to SmackDown. One step toward that equation happens on Saturday when Cargill takes that title from Stratton.
Tiffany Stratton has had a solid run in WWE to date. She’s spent nearly 40 percent of her time in the company as a champion. Fans should get used to seeing her as a champion, but prepare to see her current run come to an end.