Bad news for Tiffany Stratton ahead of WWE SmackDown

Tiffany Stratton is heading into WWE SmackDown as the new WWE Women’s Champion, but a disappointing ranking has delivered an unexpected setback for the rising superstar. Despite recently capturing the championship at Crown Jewel, Stratton has fallen significantly in the latest Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Women’s 250 rankings.

The timing makes the ranking particularly surprising. Stratton enjoyed a major moment at Crown Jewel last weekend when she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Chelsea Green to become champion. However, her recent achievement has not been enough to secure a high position on this year’s list, leaving her behind several prominent names in Women’s Wrestling.

Tiffany Stratton Drops 22 Places in PWI Women’s 250 Rankings

Stratton has been ranked 26th in the latest PWI Women’s 250, a significant drop from her fourth-place position in 2025. The 22-place fall is surprising considering her growing profile in WWE and her recent championship victory.

Several major WWE stars have been placed ahead of the new Women’s Champion, including Chelsea Green, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan. Stratton’s position is particularly notable because she recently defeated Green through her Money in the Bank cash-in to capture the title.

The rankings also highlight how much Stratton’s position has changed over the past year. Although she remains one of WWE’s recognised women’s division stars, her placement suggests that her overall in-ring performances and activity during the ranking period did not match the standard reflected by her previous position.

Stephanie Vaquer Tops the PWI Women’s 250

Stephanie Vaquer has claimed the top position in this year’s PWI Women’s 250 despite suffering an injury following WrestleMania that kept her out of action for several months.

AEW’s Willow Nightingale takes second place, followed by Thekla and Mercedes Moné. Saya Kamitani occupies fifth position, while WWE’s Liv Morgan is ranked sixth.

Rhea Ripley is the only other WWE representative inside the top 10, securing ninth place. Her position is especially noteworthy given that she has reportedly been out of action since May.

The rankings include talent from different wrestling promotions, making the list a broader assessment of women’s professional wrestling rather than a ranking limited to WWE performers.

Why Tiffany Stratton’s Recent WWE Success Was Not Counted

There is an important detail behind Stratton’s disappointing ranking. The criteria for this year’s PWI Women’s 250 reportedly covered performances only up to the beginning of September.

As a result, her Money in the Bank victory and successful cash-in at Crown Jewel were not included in the evaluation. Her latest championship achievement therefore came too late to influence her position on the list.

This timing helps explain why Stratton remains at number 26 despite becoming WWE Women’s Champion. Her recent rise in the company and the attention surrounding her title victory will have to be reflected in a future ranking rather than this year’s edition.

However, the drop from fourth place to 26th still raises questions about her booking and performances during the period considered. Stratton has also been placed 17 positions behind Rhea Ripley, who has been absent from competition since May, according to the supplied report.

Chelsea Green Could Make Tiffany Stratton’s SmackDown Return Complicated

Stratton’s ranking disappointment comes at a time when she is preparing for another confrontation with Chelsea Green on WWE SmackDown. Green has a clear reason to remain focused on the new champion after losing the title through Stratton’s Money in the Bank cash-in at Crown Jewel.

Their rivalry could become an important part of the women’s division’s direction following the championship change. Green will be looking to respond after losing her title, while Stratton must establish herself as champion and deal with the consequences of her surprise cash-in.

There is also a change in Stratton’s character that could make their next encounter more interesting. She has previously cashed in her Money in the Bank contract as a face, but she is now being presented as a heel. That shift creates a different dynamic for her interactions with Green and the SmackDown audience.

What the PWI Ranking Means for Tiffany Stratton

Although the 26th-place ranking may appear disappointing, it does not reflect Stratton’s championship status following Crown Jewel because the evaluation period ended before her cash-in. Her position should therefore be viewed in the context of the performances considered by PWI, rather than as a judgment on her latest achievement.

Stratton now has an opportunity to build a stronger championship run and deliver performances that could improve her position in future rankings. Her rivalry with Chelsea Green may also help establish the direction of her title reign.

Conclusion

Tiffany Stratton has received unexpected news ahead of WWE SmackDown after dropping from fourth to 26th in the latest PWI Women’s 250 rankings. While the result is a major decline from her 2025 position, her recent Money in the Bank cash-in and WWE Women’s Championship victory were reportedly outside the ranking period.

With Chelsea Green still looking to settle the score following the Crown Jewel title change, Stratton faces an important challenge as she begins her championship reign. Her next appearance on SmackDown could offer the first indication of how WWE plans to develop the rivalry and her new role as a heel champion.