Tiffany Stratton’s rise in WWE has been nothing short of spectacular. From her flashy in-ring style to her unapologetic confidence, she’s quickly established herself as one of the cornerstones of the women’s division. But with news of her injury forcing her out of NXT Homecoming, fans are beginning to wonder: what happens if Stratton can’t return soon and has to vacate the WWE Women’s Championship?
Vacant titles in WWE often lead to some of the most unexpected and exciting storylines, and this situation would be no different. SmackDown has no shortage of talent waiting for their shot, and several women could step up to fill the gap. Here are two of the strongest possibilities, along with why they make sense.
Jade Cargill
Ever since signing with WWE in 2023, Jade Cargill has been a name to watch. Her power, athleticism, and aura of dominance make her a natural fit for championship gold. On the September 12 episode of SmackDown, she battled Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship, and the match ended in a dramatic double countout when both women went crashing through the barricade.
It wasn’t the first time Jade pushed Stratton to her limits, and it likely won’t be the last. With WWE carefully building her star power, this could be the perfect moment for Jade to capture the title. A victory would not only cement her as the face of the division but also reward her patient rise through the ranks. Fans already see her as a future champion; it may just happen sooner than expected.
Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair has already etched her name in WWE history as one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all time. Earlier this year at WrestleMania 41, she fell short against Tiffany Stratton in a high-profile title match. But Flair has bounced back since then, forming an unexpected partnership with Alexa Bliss and capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam 2025.
Momentum is back on her side, and if Tiffany vacates, Flair could once again stand atop the mountain. With her fan support on the rise, Charlotte would bring veteran stability to the division while also creating fresh storylines as a fan-favourite champion. For WWE, it’s always hard to overlook “The Queen.”
The Bigger Picture
Whether it’s Jade Cargill’s moment to shine or Charlotte Flair reclaiming her throne, WWE would have compelling options if Tiffany Stratton has to step away. Vacating a championship is never ideal, but history shows that it often paves the way for new stars to rise or for legends to remind the world of their greatness.
For now, the WWE Universe will wait for updates on Stratton’s condition. But if the title is vacated, fans can expect fireworks on SmackDown as the hunt for the new WWE Women’s Champion begins.
