WWE SmackDown fans were left buzzing after a mysterious backstage segment aired on the August 9, 2025, episode, teasing the possible formation of a new women’s faction. The segment prominently featured Jade Cargill, U.S. Women’s Champion Giulia, and Kiana James, hinting at a powerful alliance that could shake up the SmackDown women’s division. Michin also appeared, adding another layer of intrigue, potentially setting the stage for future championship rivalries and alliances.

The segment opened with WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton discussing her impressive 216-day reign in an interview with Cathy Kelley. Stratton confidently claimed she planned to continue defending and retaining the title. However, her moment was interrupted by Jade Cargill, who reminded Stratton that the last time they clashed, Stratton’s foot was on the rope, preventing Cargill from claiming the championship. Jade promised a different outcome next time, only to be met with Stratton’s confident retort that while the story might change, the result would remain in her favor before she walked off.

Shortly afterwards, Kiana James strolled in accompanied by U.S. Women’s Champion Giulia. With cameras rolling, James signaled they were “off the record” and handed Jade Cargill a business card, suggesting that if Cargill was serious about dethroning Stratton, she should get in touch. Cargill replied that she preferred to do things her own way but accepted the card nonetheless. Giulia cheekily added, “Just in case,” leaving fans wondering if this hinted at an upcoming alliance. The two left the scene, only for Michin to appear moments later holding a kendo stick. She asked Cargill if she planned to use the card, but Jade refused, handing it over to Michin, who cryptically said she might call James herself for a championship shot. The segment ended without physical confrontation but planted clear seeds for future storylines[1].

Backstage Sources and Fan Reactions

According to sources close to WWE, this segment was intentionally vague to build suspense around the potential formation of a new powerful stable on SmackDown’s women’s roster. A WWE insider told Fightful Wrestling that creative has been exploring ways to regroup top-tier female talent to compete more cohesively in storylines following the explosive 2025 Evolution pay-per-view. At that landmark event, Jade Cargill notably showcased her dominance despite a loss to Naomi and a high-profile match involving Bianca Belair as special referee, underscoring her status as a cornerstone for the women’s division[2].

Industry podcasts have also speculated that Giulia’s involvement signals WWE’s intent to elevate the U.S. Women’s Championship profile by entwining it with the main title scene through alliances and rivalries. Kiana James, often portrayed as a savvy, business-minded heel, could bring a new dynamic by managing or orchestrating machinations behind the scenes.

Michin’s emergence with the kendo stick further suggests WWE wants to create multi-layered conflicts involving various championship contenders, setting up potential triple threat or faction warfare scenarios. The tone and subtlety of the backstage segment imply that WWE is adopting a more storytelling-focused approach, emphasizing alliances over individual rivalries to enhance viewer investment.

Implications for the SmackDown Women’s Division

WWE currently boasts a strong women’s roster on SmackDown, including established tag teams and stables like the duo of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, as well as various other factions on Raw and NXT[4]. Introducing a new stable reminiscent of dominant groups from previous eras could revitalize the division, giving fresh narratives and deeper character development.

Tiffany Stratton’s lengthy title reign faces credible threats with Jade Cargill positioned as a major challenger. The tease of an alliance between Cargill, Giulia, and James could mean a concerted effort to unseat Stratton, elevating the stakes for all matches and creating multi-person feuds that engage the audience week after week.

The inclusion of Michin also opens doors for unpredictable twists. If Michin uses the business card, it might lead to a confrontation or partnership between her and the presumed faction, adding to the evolving complexity.

What Fans Can Expect Moving Forward

Sources suggest WWE is planning to slowly develop this angle with more backstage segments, confrontations, and possibly tag matches involving these competitors. Fans can expect SummerSlam 2025 to be a significant milestone in this storyline, especially with Jade Cargill needing to be at her best to challenge Tiffany Stratton based on recent updates[5].

This new stable’s formation promises to add layers to the SmackDown women’s division, potentially culminating in faction-based matches and championship ladder bouts. As always, WWE’s creative direction aims to blend athletic competition with compelling narratives, and this tease is a promising indication that the company is investing in its female talent’s future.

Stay tuned for updates and match results as WWE continues to build this exciting new chapter in women’s wrestling on SmackDown.