A compelling new storyline may be taking shape on WWE SmackDown, as recent backstage interactions have strongly hinted at the formation of a new women’s faction involving some of the brand’s top stars, including Jade Cargill, U.S. Women’s Champion Giulia, and Kiana James. This development was featured during a backstage segment that also included former WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Michin, signaling potential championship tensions and alliances.

The segment started with Tiffany Stratton discussing her impressive 216-day reign as WWE Women’s Champion in an interview with Cathy Kelley. Stratton asserted her determination to retain her title against all challengers. However, the mood shifted quickly when Jade Cargill interrupted, recalling how Stratton’s foot on the rope had unfairly cost her a previous shot at the title. Cargill vowed that next time the outcome would be different, setting the stage for a rematch steeped in personal rivalry. Stratton dismissed this, confidently claiming the result would remain unchanged despite a new story.

Then Kiana James entered alongside Giulia, the current U.S. Women’s Champion, adding intrigue to the narrative. James brusquely told Kelley they were “off the record” despite cameras rolling and handed a business card to Cargill. She suggested Jade contact them if she was serious about taking Stratton’s championship. Cargill, however, stated she would pursue her challenge on her own terms. Before departing, Giulia cryptically remarked, “Just in case,” reinforcing the possibility of future collaboration or competition between the trio.

Michin soon appeared holding a kendo stick, questioning Cargill about using the business card. Jade refused and passed the card to Michin, who playfully teased that she might be the one to call James to request a title shot instead. Though no direct conflict broke out, the segment concluded with clear signs of an emerging web of alliances and rivalries centered around the women’s division’s top titles.

According to sources close to WWE, this backstage vignette is more than casual conversation: it is believed to be WWE’s way of planting seeds for a new dominant women’s stable on SmackDown. Industry insiders cited by Fightful and Wrestling News speculate that the faction could quickly become a major force given Jade Cargill’s ongoing push since her return earlier this year, Giulia’s strong presence as U.S. Women’s Champion, and Kiana James’s growing role as an opportunistic manager-like figure.

The involvement of Michin adds an additional layer of unpredictability, as she has carried a kendo stick prominently, a traditional symbol of a warrior’s readiness to fight. With her receiving the business card from Jade, the door is open for multi-directional feuds and alliances that could span across several championship scenes on SmackDown.

This tease follows closely on the heels of WWE’s recent Evolution 2025 pay-per-view, which showcased the depth and talent of the women’s division across all brands and set the stage for fresh storylines. Tiffany Stratton’s ongoing reign and Jade Cargill’s previous high-profile matches—for instance, her No Holds Barred bout against Naomi with Bianca Belair as special referee—have already established both women as prominent figures in the championship picture.

Sources inside WWE have hinted that the promotions are placing extra emphasis on compelling narrative groups to elevate the women’s division and build long-term story arcs similar to successful stables in the past. A new faction involving these rising and established stars offers considerable creative potential to deliver personal rivalries and championship pursuits simultaneously.

Fans keenly anticipating the next SmackDown episode will likely see further developments from this backstage interaction. Whether the alliance hinted at will solidify into a full-fledged stable or if Michin’s involvement will spawn an entirely different set of conflicts remains to be seen.

This storyline direction aligns with WWE’s recent strategy, as industry podcasts and analysts have noted increased focus on multi-character dynamics and faction warfare to keep audience engagement high in weekly programming. WrestleTalk and other wrestling media outlets have praised WWE’s renewed investment in women’s wrestling storytelling, emphasizing nuanced character work and group alliances.

In summary, the recent WWE SmackDown backstage segment pointedly teasing Jade Cargill, U.S. Women’s Champion Giulia, and Kiana James together marks a significant moment for the women’s division. The subtle yet charged interactions also including Tiffany Stratton and Michin suggest WWE is gearing up for a fresh women’s faction storyline that promises to deepen championship rivalries and enrich weekly SmackDown narratives.

As reported by Wrestling News and corroborated by observers at WWE.com and Fightful, this emerging faction represents a bold new chapter in SmackDown’s women’s division, with the potential to dominate storylines throughout the rest of 2025.

Stay tuned for further SmackDown results and detailed coverage as this story unfolds.