Women’s United States Title Match and New Segment Added to SmackDown – WWE SmackDown officially undergoes a major format change tonight as the blue brand moves back to a three-hour runtime, beginning with this evening’s broadcast from Buffalo, New York. The expanded format immediately allows WWE to load up the card, and just hours before the show goes live, a championship match has been confirmed.

Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green is scheduled to defend her title against Giulia. This bout represents another chapter in an increasingly personal rivalry between the two, as Giulia looks to regain the championship she lost to Green back in November. Since the Women’s United States Championship was introduced toward the end of 2024, Green and Giulia have been central figures in its short history, standing as two of only three women to have held the title so far.

Green is currently in her second reign as Women’s United States Champion. She reclaimed the championship from Giulia by capitalizing on a distraction, pinning her opponent while using the ropes for illegal leverage. That controversial finish has continued to fuel tension between the two, making tonight’s title defense one of the most anticipated matches on the card.

In addition to the championship bout, WWE has also advertised appearances by Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre. McIntyre is set to reveal the stipulations for his upcoming “Three Stages of Hell” match against Rhodes. That high-stakes encounter will see Rhodes defend the WWE Championship and is scheduled for the January 9 edition of SmackDown, adding further intrigue to tonight’s segment.

The expanded runtime also allows for multiple marquee matches, including a brutal Ambulance Match and a star-studded eight-woman tag team bout featuring some of WWE’s biggest names from both divisions.

With SmackDown returning to three hours, tonight’s show marks a notable shift in presentation and pacing, and WWE appears intent on making an immediate statement with a loaded lineup in Buffalo.

Updated SmackDown Lineup

• Drew McIntyre reveals stipulations for the Three Stages of Hell match against Cody Rhodes
• Women’s United States Championship Match: Chelsea Green vs. Giulia
• Ambulance Match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
• 8-Woman Tag Team Match: IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka, Kairi Sane, Nia Jax and Lash Legend

Women’s United States Title Match and New Segment Added to SmackDown

AdvertisementAdvertisement