Paige Targets WWE Women’s United States Championship as Nikki Bella Misses SmackDown

Paige has made her intentions clear on WWE SmackDown, targeting the Women’s United States Championship after a dramatic night involving Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton and Fatal Influence.

The former WWE Women’s Champion appears ready to begin a new chapter as a singles competitor. After recent developments involving the Bella Twins, Paige’s attention has turned toward championship gold, and the Women’s United States Championship has emerged as her immediate target.

Her ambitions became clear after she praised Chelsea Green before becoming involved in a confrontation surrounding the title picture. Paige later took to X with a simple message: “That US title would look good on me.”

The statement could mark the beginning of a new WWE storyline for Paige, particularly as Nikki Bella was absent from SmackDown and the former tag-team dynamic appears to have changed.

Paige makes her Women’s United States Championship intentions clear

The situation began when Chelsea Green celebrated the continuation of her WWE Women’s Championship reign alongside Tiffany Stratton following her plea to General Manager Nick Aldis.

Paige interrupted the conversation and praised Green for the passionate promo she delivered the previous week. The atmosphere changed when Fatal Influence entered the picture.

Jacy Jayne, who recently captured the Women’s United States Championship from Tiffany Stratton, mocked the group. Rather than backing away from the confrontation, Paige used the moment to make her own ambitions known.

Instead of immediately pursuing the WWE Women’s Championship, Paige now appears interested in the secondary singles title.

Her message on social media was brief but direct:

“That US title would look good on me.”

For a former WWE Women’s Champion, the move could represent an interesting change in direction.

Why the US title could be the right target for Paige

Paige already has experience competing at the highest level in WWE. Pursuing the Women’s United States Championship would therefore not necessarily be a step backward.

Instead, it could give her an opportunity to establish herself in a different role and create fresh rivalries outside the main championship picture.

A singles title chase would also allow WWE to showcase more of Paige’s personality and in-ring identity without immediately placing her into the crowded WWE Women’s Championship storyline.

There is another important factor: Paige appears to need a new direction.

Following her split from Brie Bella and the betrayal involving the Bella Twins, the former Women’s Champion has reasons to focus on herself rather than remaining involved in a tag-team story.

Nikki Bella’s absence changes the storyline

Nikki Bella’s absence from SmackDown is another important development.

With Nikki not available for a singles rivalry, Paige’s creative direction could naturally move toward another championship feud.

The situation gives WWE multiple possibilities. Paige could chase Jacy Jayne, confront Fatal Influence or gradually build toward another major title opportunity.

It also gives Paige a chance to establish herself independently following her recent association with the Bella Twins.

Jacy Jayne now has a major target on her back

Jacy Jayne’s position has changed considerably after winning the Women’s United States Championship.

A championship victory automatically places a wrestler at the center of attention, and Paige’s challenge could provide Jayne with one of her most significant tests.

The contrast between the two wrestlers could make the feud particularly interesting.

Paige brings the experience of being a former WWE Women’s Champion, while Jayne enters the rivalry as the current titleholder looking to establish her own championship legacy.

That creates a straightforward storyline: an experienced former champion wants another opportunity, while the new champion has to prove that she belongs at the top.

Paige could benefit from a focused singles run

A singles storyline could be exactly what Paige needs at this stage of her WWE career.

Her history already gives her credibility, but a sustained championship chase would allow WWE to build a fresh narrative around her rather than relying entirely on her previous achievements.

The Women’s United States Championship is particularly useful for this purpose because it can provide wrestlers with meaningful storylines while giving the titleholder regular opportunities to work with different opponents.

If Paige becomes a consistent challenger, WWE could build the feud gradually instead of rushing directly toward a championship match.

Blake Monroe adds another layer to the women’s division

Paige’s title ambitions are not the only major development surrounding Chelsea Green.

Blake Monroe has also emerged as a potential threat to Green’s WWE Women’s Championship reign.

The former AEW Women’s World Champion has demanded a championship opportunity following her attack on Giulia on Friday Night SmackDown.

Monroe was originally scheduled to face Giulia, but she argued that a low-profile singles match was not enough for her first major chapter on SmackDown.

Instead, Monroe wants to immediately pursue the WWE Women’s Championship.

Chelsea Green’s title reign faces another challenge

Green’s championship reign has already become complicated by injury.

The WWE Women’s Champion is dealing with a broken orbital bone and reportedly needs to recover within a limited period to keep her championship reign on track.

That creates an unusual situation for the women’s division.

While Paige is looking toward the United States Championship, Monroe is positioning herself around the main women’s title. Meanwhile, Green has to recover while keeping potential challengers at bay.

WWE therefore has several possible stories developing simultaneously.

Blake Monroe could become Paige’s biggest obstacle

If Monroe successfully establishes herself as a major challenger, Paige could find herself competing in a division full of increasingly ambitious stars.

That would actually benefit the WWE women’s division because multiple credible challengers can create more meaningful championship programs.

Monroe’s aggressive approach also contrasts with Paige’s more established presence.

One wrestler is trying to prove that she deserves an immediate opportunity, while the other is trying to reclaim championship momentum.

That difference could eventually produce an interesting collision if both women move toward the same championship picture.

What could happen next for Paige?

There are several logical directions for Paige following her declaration.

• Paige vs Jacy Jayne: The most direct option would be a championship feud over the Women’s United States Championship.
• Fatal Influence rivalry: Paige could become involved in a wider feud with the faction before receiving a title opportunity.
• Singles rebuilding: WWE could give Paige several matches before officially putting her into a championship program.
• Return to the main title picture: A strong United States Championship run could eventually position Paige for another WWE Women’s Championship opportunity.

The most interesting route may be the slow build. Allowing Paige to earn her opportunity through several competitive matches would give the championship chase more credibility.

Why Paige’s title chase matters

Paige pursuing the Women’s United States Championship could be more significant than a simple change of target.

It potentially signals a renewed focus on establishing her identity as a singles star.

After her recent storyline developments, a championship pursuit gives Paige a clear objective. Instead of being defined by her relationship with other wrestlers, she can once again be defined by her own ambitions.

That is important for any established wrestler returning to a major storyline.

WWE now has several strong women’s storylines

The women’s division on SmackDown currently has several interconnected developments.

Jacy Jayne is holding the Women’s United States Championship. Paige wants the title. Chelsea Green is dealing with an injury while trying to maintain her WWE Women’s Championship reign. Blake Monroe is demanding a shot at that championship.

Those separate stories give WWE plenty of flexibility.

Rather than relying on one rivalry, the company can rotate challengers and create different combinations of established names and emerging stars.

Conclusion: Paige’s next chapter could begin with the US Championship

Paige’s decision to target the WWE Women’s United States Championship could mark the beginning of an important new chapter.

Her social-media message was short, but the intention behind it was clear: she wants championship gold again.

With Jacy Jayne currently holding the title, Fatal Influence involved in the picture and Nikki Bella absent from SmackDown, Paige has an opportunity to build a fresh singles storyline.

At the same time, Chelsea Green’s championship reign is facing pressure from Blake Monroe, creating another major storyline at the top of the division.

If WWE carefully develops both programs, Paige’s pursuit of the United States Championship could become one of SmackDown’s most compelling women’s storylines in the weeks ahead.