WWE Raw Women's Championship 2026
Created at WrestleMania 32 in 2016, the Raw Women's Championship has been the centrepiece of Monday Night Raw's women's division — carried by icons like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair and the dominant force that is Rhea Ripley, "Mami."
Key Title Reigns in History
Charlotte Flair — Inaugural Champion (April 2016)
The Queen won the inaugural Raw Women's Championship in a six-woman ladder match at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, defeating Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Natalya, Paige and Dana Brooke. Charlotte's victory launched a new era for WWE women's wrestling that the industry was unprepared for in its scale.
Becky Lynch — The Man's SummerSlam 2018 Moment
While Becky Lynch won the SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam 2018 (not Raw), that moment ignited her rocket to superstardom. Her eventual WrestleMania 35 win — pinning both Charlotte and Ronda Rousey in the main event — was a Raw Women's Championship moment that transcended wrestling and reached mainstream sports media.
Sasha Banks — The Blueprint
Sasha Banks held the Raw Women's Championship multiple times, each reign contributing to her reputation as the greatest in-ring performer of her generation. Her Hell in a Cell match against Becky Lynch in 2019 was the first women's Hell in a Cell match — a historic milestone.
Bianca Belair — EST of WWE
Bianca Belair's championship runs demonstrated WWE's commitment to building generational stars. The EST's combination of elite athleticism, charisma and in-ring ability made her Raw Women's Championship reigns feel like genuine landmark moments — particularly her WrestleMania moments that became water-cooler talking points.
Rhea Ripley — The Mami Era (2023–2024)
Rhea Ripley's dominant Raw Women's Championship reign — stretching over 380 days — was the most dominant women's title run in the brand-split era. As the physical and psychological centrepiece of The Judgment Day stable, Mami's title matches never felt routine. Her eventual loss due to injury made the return even more anticipated.
2026 — Post-Netflix Era Champion
With Raw now on Netflix, the Raw Women's Championship has a bigger global platform than ever. WWE has been deliberate about presenting the title in high-profile TV moments designed to hook new viewers discovering wrestling through the streaming platform for the first time.
Raw Women's Title vs SmackDown Women's Title
Raw Women's Championship
- Monday Night Raw (Netflix)
- Red brand — Raw colours
- Defended at all premium live events
- Icons: Charlotte, Becky, Sasha, Bianca, Rhea
- History from April 2016
SmackDown Women's Championship
- Friday Night SmackDown (USA Network)
- Blue brand — SmackDown colours
- Defended at all premium live events
- Icons: Bayley, Asuka, Nia Jax, Sasha, Becky
- History from July 2016
The Raw Women's Title in the Netflix Era
Since Raw moved to Netflix in January 2025, the Raw Women's Championship has had a fundamentally different platform. Netflix's global reach means title matches are no longer constrained by traditional US cable ratings — they're content designed to perform across multiple markets and demographics simultaneously.
WWE has responded by booking the Raw Women's Championship with more event-driven storytelling, ensuring each major title change happens in a context big enough to justify the Netflix content budget. The division has benefited from this investment in production values and storyline depth.
In 2026, the Raw Women's Championship is arguably more valuable as a brand asset than at any point since the belt was created. The combination of established stars like Rhea Ripley returning to the mix, emerging talents built up on the main roster, and the Netflix platform creates genuine excitement around every title match.
Video Highlights
FULL MATCH: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez | Street Fight: Night of Champions 2025
Rhea Ripley & Jade Cargill are ready to Clash in Italy
Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss accost Jade Cargill: SmackDown highlights, May 29, 2026
Jade Cargill’s message to Rhea Ripley before Clash in Italy: WWE Now, May 29, 2026
Jade Cargill stands tall over Rhea Ripley in post-match melee: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Jade Cargill stands tall over Rhea Ripley in post-match melee: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Jade Cargill stands tall over Rhea Ripley in post-match melee: SmackDown highlights, May 22, 2026
Do you think Charlotte Flair is right about Rhea Ripley?
Fatal Influence confront Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss: SmackDown highlights
Road to Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab: WWE Playlist
FULL MATCH: AJ Styles & Liv Morgan vs. Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley: Raw, May 23, 2022
FULL MATCH: Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Roxanne Perez & Giulia: Raw, May 12, 2025
Rhea Ripley | NXT Origins
Rhea Ripley comes out to even the odds against Fatal Influence 😈👏 #SmackDown
FULL MATCH: Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY | Women’s World Title Match: SummerSlam 2025
FULL MATCH: Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair: WrestleMania Backlash 2021
Rhea Ripley showing why she is the Champ
Rhea Ripley challenges Jacy Jayne to an impromptu matchup: SmackDown highlights, April 24, 2026
Latest News
Rhea Ripley comes to SmackDown ready to battle Jade Cargill at WrestleMania
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Jade Cargill Says Rhea Ripley Was Not Her First Choice For WWE WrestleMania 42 Opponent
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Jade Cargill Says Rhea Ripley Was Not Her First Choice For WWE WrestleMania 42 Opponent
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Giulia Addresses Giving Rhea Ripley a Black Eye In Brutal SmackDown Match
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6 WWE SmackDown Matches For Rhea Ripley Before WrestleMania 42
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Rhea Ripley Destroyed By Jade Cargill’s New Stable During 3/20 WWE SmackDown
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Rhea Ripley Challenges Fans Judging Her To Post Their Own Pictures
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Giulia Talks Wrestling Asuka And IYO SKY At WWE Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley On SmackDown
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WWE Stars To Join Rhea Ripley Against Jade Cargill
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Rhea Ripley Pushes for WWE Evolution to Become a Yearly Event
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Rhea Ripley recalls Bianca Belair’s WWE WrestleMania 41 injury
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Rhea Ripley discusses leaving the women’s division better off when she is done with WWE
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Rhea Ripley On Jade Cargill Match: ‘I Feel The Pressure To Uplift Her And Get Her To Level Up Her Own Game’
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WWE SmackDown Results 4/3 - Drew McIntyre And Jacob Fatu Both Appear, Rhea Ripley Faces Michin
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Jade Cargill Claims WWE Backing Helped Rhea Ripley Reach WrestleMania Spot
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WWE SmackDown Results 4/3 - Two Championships On The Line, Rhea Ripley Faces Michin
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WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (4/3): Corbridge’s alt-perspective report on Cody Rhodes spoiling Randy Orton homecoming, Rhea Ripley addressing Jade Cargill attacks, Drew McIntyre & Jacob Fatu appearances
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Jade Cargill Says She Is Raw Compared To Rhea Ripley: ‘My First Match Ever’ Was On TV. ‘My NXT Was AEW’
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Rhea Ripley Comments On The Prospect Of WWE Evolution 3
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Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY Vs. B-Fab & Michin, LA Knight Vs. Austin Theory & Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh Added To WWE Raw
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Featured Analysis
Rhea Ripley is learning the hard way that dominance has a cost
Jun 1, 2026
Rhea Ripley surviving Italy proves why she is the division's only real star
May 31, 2026
Rhea Ripley is entering her most uncertain period in WWE
May 30, 2026
Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley are physically ready for clash in Italy
May 30, 2026
Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley are set for a violent collision in Italy
May 30, 2026
Rhea Ripley is changing the mechanics of her Riptide
May 30, 2026
The IWC is absolutely eating itself over Rhea Ripley's Riptide origin story
May 30, 2026
Why Jade Cargill's push against Rhea Ripley is the wrong move for SmackDown
May 29, 2026
Rhea Ripley's uncertain WWE future as injury and health recovery loom
May 29, 2026
Rhea Ripley is back and the division is already on notice
May 29, 2026