The WWE Women's Championship[1] is a women's professional wrestling world championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE, defended on the SmackDown brand. It was introduced on April 3, 2016, at WrestleMania 32 to replace the WWE Divas Championship and has a unique title history separate from the original WWE Women's Championship. Following the reintroduction of the brand split in July 2016, the title became exclusive to Raw and was renamed as the Raw Women's Championship after SummerSlam in August 2016 when SmackDown created the SmackDown Women's Championship as a counterpart title. As a result of the 2023 WWE Draft, the championships switched brands. In June 2023, the Raw Women's Championship reverted to its original name of WWE Women's Championship while the SmackDown Women's Championship became the Women's World Championship.[2]

Two-time and current champion Nia Jax, shown here during her first reign when the title was called the "Raw Women's Championship.

The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition. Nia Jax is the current champion in her second reign. She defeated Bayley at SummerSlam on August 3, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

As of November 2, 2024, there have been 28 reigns between 12 champions. The first champion was Charlotte, who won the title at WrestleMania 32. She also has the most reigns with six. The champion with the single longest reign is Bianca Belair with a reign of 420 days while the record for longest combined reign is held by Becky Lynch at 560 days. Two women in history have held the championship for a continuous reign of one year (365 days) or more: Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair.

Title history

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Names

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Name Years
WWE Women's Championship April 3, 2016 – September 5, 2016
June 9, 2023 – present
WWE Raw Women's Championship September 5, 2016 – June 9, 2023

Reigns

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Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
Days recog. Number of days held recognized by the promotion
<1 Reign lasted less than a day
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days Days recog.
WWE
1 Charlotte April 3, 2016 WrestleMania 32 Arlington, TX 1 113 113 The title was established as the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 32, to replace the WWE Divas Championship. Charlotte, the reigning Divas Champion, defeated Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks in a triple threat match to become the inaugural champion.
The title became exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2016 WWE Draft in July.
[3]
WWE: Raw
2 Sasha Banks July 25, 2016 Raw Pittsburgh, PA 1 27 26 [4]
3 Charlotte August 21, 2016 SummerSlam Brooklyn, NY 2 43 43 The title was renamed as the Raw Women's Championship on September 5, 2016, following the creation of the SmackDown Women's Championship for the SmackDown brand. [5]
4 Sasha Banks October 3, 2016 Raw Los Angeles, CA 2 27 27 [6]
5 Charlotte Flair October 30, 2016 Hell in a Cell Boston, MA 3 29 29 This was the first women's Hell in a Cell match and the first time women were the main event match of a WWE pay-per-view. During her reign, Charlotte's ring name was lengthened to Charlotte Flair. [7]
6 Sasha Banks November 28, 2016 Raw Charlotte, NC 3 20 19 This was a falls count anywhere match. [8]
7 Charlotte Flair December 18, 2016 Roadblock: End of the Line Pittsburgh, PA 4 57 57 This was a 30-minute iron man match, which Flair won 3–2 in sudden death overtime. [9]
8 Bayley February 13, 2017 Raw Paradise, NV 1 76 75 [10]
9 Alexa Bliss April 30, 2017 Payback San Jose, CA 1 112 111 [11]
10 Sasha Banks August 20, 2017 SummerSlam Brooklyn, NY 4 8 8 [12]
11 Alexa Bliss August 28, 2017 Raw Memphis, TN 2 223 222 [13]
12 Nia Jax April 8, 2018 WrestleMania 34 New Orleans, LA 1 70 70 [14]
13 Alexa Bliss June 17, 2018 Money in the Bank Rosemont, IL 3 63 63 This was Bliss' Money in the Bank cash-in match. [15]
14 Ronda Rousey August 19, 2018 SummerSlam Brooklyn, NY 1 232 231 [16]
15 Becky Lynch April 8, 2019 WrestleMania 35 East Rutherford, NJ 1 373 398 This was a winner takes all triple threat match for both the Raw Women's Championship and SmackDown Women's Championship, also involving Charlotte Flair, who defended the SmackDown Women's Championship. Lynch pinned Rousey to win both titles. WWE recognizes Lynch's reign as ending on May 10, 2020 due to tape delay. [17]
16 Asuka April 15, 2020 Money in the Bank Stamford, CT 1 96 78 Defeated Carmella, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, Nia Jax, and Shayna Baszler in the women's Money in the Bank ladder match. The Money in the Bank briefcase was originally supposed to contain a guaranteed championship match contract, but after Becky Lynch forfeited the title due to her pregnancy, the title belt was placed in the briefcase, with the winner getting the championship.
WWE recognizes Asuka's reign as beginning on May 10, 2020 (when the Money in the Bank ladder match aired on tape delay) and ending on July 27, 2020 (also on tape delay).
[18][19]
17 Sasha Banks July 20, 2020 Raw Orlando, FL 5 34 26 Besides pinfall or submission, the title could also change hands by countout or disqualification; Banks won by countout.
WWE recognizes Banks' reign as beginning on July 27, 2020, when the match aired on tape delay.
[20]
18 Asuka August 23, 2020 SummerSlam Orlando, FL 2 231 231 [21]
19 Rhea Ripley April 11, 2021 WrestleMania 37
Night 2
Tampa, FL 1 98 97 [22]
20 Charlotte Flair July 18, 2021 Money in the Bank Fort Worth, TX 5 1 2 WWE's official title history incorrectly lists her reign as lasting 2 days, ending on July 20, 2021. [23]
21 Nikki A.S.H. July 19, 2021 Raw Dallas, TX 1 33 32 This was Nikki A.S.H.'s Money in the Bank cash-in match. [24]
22 Charlotte Flair August 21, 2021 SummerSlam Paradise, NV 6 62 61 This was a triple threat match, also involving Rhea Ripley. [25]
23 Becky Lynch October 22, 2021 SmackDown Wichita, KS 2 162 161 As a result of the 2021 WWE Draft, then-SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch was drafted to Raw while Charlotte Flair was drafted to SmackDown. To keep the titles on their respective brands, WWE had the two women exchange championships. [26]
24 Bianca Belair April 2, 2022 WrestleMania 38
Night 1
Arlington, TX 1 420 419 The title became exclusive to the SmackDown brand following the 2023 WWE Draft. [27]
WWE: SmackDown
25 Asuka May 27, 2023 Night of Champions Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 3 70 70 The title's name reverted to WWE Women's Championship on June 9, 2023. [28]
26 Bianca Belair August 5, 2023 SummerSlam Detroit, MI 2 <1 <1 This was a triple threat match, also involving Charlotte Flair. [29]
27 Iyo Sky August 5, 2023 SummerSlam Detroit, MI 1 246 245 This was Sky's Money in the Bank cash-in match. [29]
28 Bayley April 7, 2024 WrestleMania XL
Night 2
Philadelphia, PA 2 118 117 [30]
29 Nia Jax August 3, 2024 SummerSlam Cleveland, OH 2 91+ 91+ [31]

Combined reigns

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Inaugural and record six-time champion Charlotte Flair
Two-time champion Becky Lynch, who has the longest combined reign at 535 days (559 as recognized by WWE)
Two-time and longest-reigning champion Bianca Belair; her first reign lasted 420 days (419 as recognized by WWE). Her second reign is also the shortest reign at 1 minute and 35 seconds.

As of November 2, 2024.

Indicates the current champion
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns
Combined
days
Combined days
recognized by WWE
1 Becky Lynch 2 535 559
2 Bianca Belair 2 420 419
3 Alexa Bliss 3 398 396
4 Asuka 3 397 379
5 Charlotte Flair 6 305
6 Iyo Sky 1 246 245
7 Ronda Rousey 1 232 231
8 Bayley 2 194 192
9 Nia Jax 2 161+
10 Sasha Banks 5 116 106
11 Rhea Ripley 1 98 97
12 Nikki A.S.H. 1 33 32

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Raw Women's Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  2. ^ "WWE Women's Championship". WWE. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Artus, Matthew (April 3, 2016). "Charlotte def. Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks to become first new WWE Women's Champion". WWE. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  4. ^ Tedesco, Mike (July 25, 2016). "WWE Raw Results – 7/25/16 (Live from Pittsburgh, fallout from Battleground, new era of Raw begins)". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Caldwell, James (August 21, 2016). "8/21 WWE Summerslam Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  6. ^ Tedesco, Mike (October 3, 2016). "WWE RAW Results – 10/3/16 (Live from Los Angeles, Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for the RAW Women's Title)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  7. ^ Powell, Jason (October 30, 2016). "Powell's WWE Hell in a Cell 2016 live review: Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte for the WWE Women's Championship, Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship, Roman Reigns vs. Rusev for the U.S. Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  8. ^ Keller, Wade (November 28, 2016). "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 11/28: Live coverage – Charlotte defends against Sasha Banks, New Day defends against Anderson & Gallows". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  9. ^ Powell, Jason (December 18, 2016). "Powell's WWE Roadblock: End of the Line 2016 live review: Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte in an Iron Man match for the Raw Women's Championship, Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  10. ^ Keller, Wade (February 13, 2017). "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 2/13: Las Vegas Festival of Friendship, Emmalina's debut, Fastlane developments, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  11. ^ Powell, Jason (April 30, 2017). "4/30 Powell's WWE Payback Live Review: Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman, Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho for the U.S. Championship, Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins, Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  12. ^ Powell, Jason (August 20, 2017). "Powell's WWE SummerSlam 2017 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins for the Raw Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  13. ^ Keller, Wade (August 28, 2017). "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 8/28: Sasha defends against Alexa, Cena vs. Reigns contract signing, Lesnar returns to answer Braun attack". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  14. ^ Powell, Jason (April 8, 2018). "Powell's WrestleMania 34 live review: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  15. ^ Powell, Jason (June 17, 2018). "Powell's WWE Money in the Bank live review: Two MITB ladder matches, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship, Nia Jax vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  16. ^ Powell, Jason (August 19, 2018). "Powell's WWE SummerSlam 2018 live review: Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship, Alexa Bliss vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women's Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  17. ^ Powell, Jason (April 7, 2019). "WrestleMania 35 results: Powell's live review of Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair for the Raw and Smackdown Women's Titles, Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship, Batista vs. Triple H, AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  18. ^ Johnson, Mike (May 11, 2020). "Money in the Bank ladder match news and notes". PWInsider. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  19. ^ Powell, Jason (May 11, 2020). "5/11 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Becky Lynch's major announcement, the return of Edge and Randy Orton, Lynch confronting MITB winner Asuka, Money in the Bank fallout". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  20. ^ Powell, Jason (July 27, 2020). "7/27 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Asuka vs Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match, Viking Raiders vs. Andrade and Angel Garza vs. Ricochet and Cedric Alexander for a shot at the Raw Tag Titles at SummerSlam". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  21. ^ Powell, Jason (August 23, 2020). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Braun Strowman vs. The Fiend for the WWE Universal Championship, Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville in a No DQ, loser leaves WWE match, Asuka challenges for two titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  22. ^ Powell, Jason (April 11, 2021). "WrestleMania 37 results: Powell's live review of night two with Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan in a Triple Threat for the WWE Universal Championship, Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women's Championship, Big E vs. Apollo Crews in a Nigerian Drum Fight for the IC Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  23. ^ Powell, Jason (July 18, 2021). "WWE Money in the Bank results: Powell's review of the MITB ladder matches, Roman Reigns vs. Edge for the WWE Universal Championship, Bobby Lashley vs. Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship, Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  24. ^ Powell, Jason (July 19, 2021). "7/19 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of John Cena's show opening segment, fans return, Charlotte Flair coronation, Symphony of Destruction match, six-man tag match, the Money in the Bank fallout edition". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Powell, Jason (August 21, 2021). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. John Cena for the WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Bobby Lashley vs. Goldberg for the WWE Championship, Edge vs. Seth Rollins, Nikki ASH vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  26. ^ Powell, Jason (October 22, 2021). "10/22 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair swapping title belts, the coronation of Xavier Woods as King of the Ring". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  27. ^ Powell, Jason (April 2, 2022). "WrestleMania 38 results: Powell's live review of night one with Steve Austin on The KO Show, Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women's Title, Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the Raw Women's Title, Seth Rollins vs. an opponent of Vince McMahon's choosing". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  28. ^ Powell, Jason (May 27, 2023). "WWE Night of Champions results: Powell's live review of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Powell, Jason (August 5, 2023). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso in Tribal Combat for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title, Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's Title, Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the World Heavyweight Title, Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  30. ^ Powell, Jason (April 7, 2024). "WrestleMania XL results: Powell's live review of night two with Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Championship with Bloodline Rules, Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  31. ^ Powell, Jason (August 3, 2024). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match for the WWE Championship, Damian Priest vs. Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
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