Reviewing the Conclusion of the Women's United States Championship Tournament

The best thing to happen to WWE's Women's Division was the recent and long overdue addition of the midcard championships. First, the Women's United States Championship was announced. Twelve women battled for a chance to make history on the big stage known as Saturday Night's Main Event, and on the previous night's edition of SmackDown, it was down to the Final Four.

Both Semifinal matches took place that night on SmackDown, and first up, it was Michin up against Tiffany Stratton. The latter half of that match had her hands full, and not just with being Ms. Money In the Bank. She had to deal with Candice LeRae basically competing against Tiffany for the attention and the approval of WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax (BTW, a very good bounce back angle for Candice following the release of her longtime partner Indi Hartwell). This was a very gripping battle between the two women, but in the end, Michin emerged victorious and advanced to the Finals.

The second Semifinal pitted Bayley against Chelsea Green, with the latter having Piper Niven with her. Now we knew who'd win this, but they sure made it dramatic. Per usual and as expected, Piper definitely got involved many times in this bout, and Chelsea delivered the Unpretti-Her to WWE's first-ever Women's Grand Slam champion, and with that, Chelsea advanced to the Finals. And yes, Bayley is a Grand Slam Champion; I didn't like the announcers trying to remove that title from Bayley just because some of the championships she won technically don't exist anymore. They don't do that to the guys who have held the long-defunct European Championship.

So the Finals was all set, and this was a good bit in the making. Michin and Chelsea Green had been feuding in the past, which involved the pair facing off in a Dumpster Match that Michin won, leaving Chelsea with an aroma that was as sour as her disposition. It all took place on Saturday Night's Main Event, and regarding the show, I had been looking forward to this ever since the announcement of SNME's return. I had known about the original 80s/early 90s incarnation, and while I hadn't watched those shows, I did watch the first revival that aired on March 18, 2006 (my 21st birthday), so I know the pomp and circumstance that SNME brings.

The bout was the fourth of the five matches that took place at the first SNME since 2008, and when I saw SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis leave his office with that title, I beamed. As usual, Piper Niven was with Chelsea, and she definitely got involved in this bout, though Michin stayed strong and did manage to subdue Piper. Chelsea's first attempt at the Unpretti-Her was thwarted, but a top rope moved allowed Chelsea's second attempt to be successful, and we had history at the home of the New York Islanders.

As we all expected, as well all hoped, and as we all cheered for, Chelsea Green became WWE's very first Women's United States Champion. I actually predicted this five months ago in an earlier story on Vocal, because WWE owed Chelsea a lot. Her release was a bunch of crap, but they did the right thing and brought her back, because she brings a lot to the table, and as a result, she was rewarded big time for it. Congratulations to Chelsea Green; this was well deserved! And congrats to Michin as well, for showing that she definitely deserves to be pushed down the line!

There's one small thing that I wish would have happened but didn't: I think Piper Niven should have taken that opportunity to turn on Chelsea. I'm fine with that not happening right after the win because this was Chelsea's moment. But I would think that an angle begins where Piper slowly turns against Chelsea, and if and when that happens, I want Chelsea to turn face in this scenario. Reasons: Chelsea is a bit more of a sentimental favorite, and fans can really back her if Piper unleashes a villainous betrayal against her down the line.

So we officially have a Women's United States Champion, and now, the focus is on the quest to crown WWE's first ever Women's Intercontinental Championship. That tournament has two Semifinalists in the form of Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria, and the other two Quarterfinal matches will take place in the following weeks. We should see the Semifinal matches on the final Raw of 2024, and the Finals will take place in the anticipated first Raw of 2025, which is the show's premiere on Netflix.