WWE added two new midcard titles to its women's division in 2024 with the creation of the Women's Intercontinental Championship for Raw and the Women's United States Championship for SmackDown.[1][2]

Triple H, WWE Chief Content Officer, announced the championships on July 29, 2024, during a media event at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, ahead of SummerSlam.[1][2]

The move followed advocacy from women's division competitors including Zelina Vega, who had publicly called for midcard opportunities for female superstars, and Hall of Famer Booker T.[3][4]

Lyra Valkyria became the inaugural Women's Intercontinental Champion by defeating Roxanne Perez in the tournament final on the October 14, 2024, episode of Monday Night Raw at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1][5]

Chelsea Green won the Women's United States Championship tournament, defeating Tiffany Stratton in the final on the November 15, 2024, episode of SmackDown at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.[1][6]

WWE star Bayley described the new titles as providing "more opportunity" and a sign of Triple H's "total trust" in the women's division, which she called the strongest it has ever been. She noted there are too many talented women for just the world and tag titles.[7]

Bayley recalled telling Triple H the women needed an Intercontinental title like the newly designed men's version, to which he replied "just wait," shortly before the women's titles were unveiled.[7]

Sources

1. WWE.com
   Triple H announces creation of Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Women’s United States Championship
   July 30, 2024
   https://www.wwe.com/article/womens-united-states-championship-womens-intercontinental-championship-announced
2. ESPN
   WWE to introduce women’s Intercontinental, U.S. championships
   July 29, 2024
   https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/40768520/wwe-adds-women-intercontinental-united-states-championships
3. Fox Sports
   Zelina Vega celebrates WWE women's midcard title announcement
   July 30, 2024
   https://www.foxsports.com/stories/wwe
4. SI.com
   Booker T praises WWE for new women's titles: 'Long overdue'
   July 30, 2024
   https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling
5. WWE.com
   Raw results, October 14, 2024
   October 15, 2024
   https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2024-10-14