The fallout from WrestleMania 42 took an unexpected turn on the April 24 episode of SmackDown in Fort Worth, Texas, where a delayed championship clash finally took center stage — and didn’t end the way many expected.
After missing the WrestleMania card entirely, the Women’s United States Championship bout between Giulia and Tiffany Stratton was pushed to weekly television, raising eyebrows before the bell even rang.
Tiffany Stratton capitalizes after WWE WrestleMania 42 snub
Stratton earned her opportunity a week earlier by defeating Jordynne Grace in a number one contender’s match on the April 17 SmackDown.
That bout replaced the originally scheduled title match, effectively putting the championship showdown on ice until after WrestleMania — a move that now feels less like a delay and more like a reset.
Once the match got underway, both competitors skipped the feeling-out process and went straight into high gear. Giulia controlled key moments, including countering Stratton’s first “Prettiest Moonsault Ever” into a submission, but couldn’t keep her grounded for long.
Kiana James’ presence at ringside added another wrinkle, though her interference ultimately backfired. In a moment of unintended “friendly fire,” Giulia collided with her ally, opening the door for Stratton to regain momentum — proving that sometimes the numbers game turns into a handicap match for the wrong side.
From there, the match shifted into a sprint of counters and near falls. Giulia attempted to close things out with her Northern Lights Bomb, but Stratton reversed course, connected with an Alabama Slam, and finally landed her signature moonsault to secure the pinfall.
The victory marks Stratton’s first reign as Women’s United States Champion and ends Giulia’s second run at 112 days. It’s a classic case of “better late than never” — or in this case, better off SmackDown than stuck on the WrestleMania sidelines.
With the title now changing hands, attention turns to how WWE reshapes the division following a post-Mania switch that no one can ignore.
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