Jade Cargill’s Reign Faces Rising Threats as Mia Yim Gears Up for Return
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill is navigating a turbulent landscape on SmackDown, facing a growing number of contenders eager to challenge her dominance. The “Baddest Woman on the Planet” has stirred up conflict with several Superstars, and with several competitors sidelined due to injury, the path to a potential showdown is becoming clearer as one star prepares to return to action.
In December, Cargill ignited a rivalry with Michin, also known as Mia Yim, a fan favorite who has been a prominent figure in WWE since joining NXT in 2018. Michin has consistently come close to championship glory, even contending for the United States Championship in 2025 and nearly becoming the first Women’s US Champion – a distinction ultimately claimed by Chelsea Green.
The budding feud between Cargill and Michin was abruptly halted when the latter sustained a shoulder injury during a WWE holiday house tour. While a specific return date remains uncertain, Michin recently confirmed she is back in training and actively preparing for her in-ring comeback. “Getting ready for the superbowl and that comeback [flex emoji],” Michin posted, signaling her determination to rejoin the competition.
Michin’s absence coincided with the retirement of her longtime friend, AJ Styles, at the Royal Rumble PLE in Saudi Arabia, where he was defeated by Gunther. Styles had recently been competing in tag team action with Dragon Lee, challenging The New Day – Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods – for the Men’s World Tag Team Titles.
Kingston’s less-than-sympathetic reaction to Styles’ retirement, expressed through posts on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing past attacks on “The Phenomenal One,” drew the ire of Michin, who swiftly defended her friend. “I’ll fight you,” Michin declared, directly confronting Kingston. The exchange escalated further when Michin responded to Kingston’s post with a video featuring a prayer, stating, “Lord, please forgive me for beating this btch ss.” This bold statement demonstrated a clear willingness to engage in a physical altercation, even while recovering from injury.
Cargill would be wise to take note. She currently faces challenges from Jordynne Grace and Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan, and Michin’s impending return adds another layer of complexity to the championship picture. With her sights set on revenge, Michin is rapidly closing in on an opportunity to challenge for the title, potentially setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with the dominant Jade Cargill.
