With 2026 now officially underway, WWE looks to once again make it a newsworthy year in the championship divisions.
2025 saw multiple shock title changes take place along with some that were much more predictable. Along with John Cena winning his record-breaking 17th World Championship at WrestleMania, Seth Rollins shocked fans with his “Ruse of the Century” Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam. In NXT, Ricky Saints and Oba Femi traded reigns with the NXT Championship, while Thea Hail ended 2025 with a shock win over Blake Monroe to capture the Women’s North American Championship, which was reportedly not the plan.
With the first title change taking place on just the second day of the year, prepare for another year of championship celebrations across all 3 brands…
Every WWE Championship Change In 2026
Giulia Wins Women’s United States Championship – January 2 SmackDown
Much like in 2025, WWE wasted little time in crowning a new champion. On the first SmackDown of the year, Giulia defeated Chelsea Green to win back the Women’s US Championship, joining Green in becoming a 2-time holder of the title. The closing moments of the match saw Giulia hit the Northern Lights Bomb onto Green to win back her title.
Rhea Ripley And IYO SKY Win Women’s Tag Team Championships – January 5 Raw
The first of 2 title changes to take place on the first Raw of 2026, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY defeated Asuka and Kairi Sane to win the titles for the first time as a duo. Ripley and SKY isolated Asuka, with Ripley hitting the Riptide to pick up the winning pin.
Becky Lynch Wins Women’s Intercontinental Championship – January 5 Raw
During the same show, Lynch picked up the victory over Maxxine Dupri to win back the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and become the first person to hold the title twice. Although Lynch was trapped in the ankle lock by Dupri, The Man countered the hold into a pin to pick up the victory.
Izzi Dame Wins Women’s North American Championship – NXT New Year’s Evil
The first NXT title change of 2026 took place at the New Year’s Evil special on January 6. Izzi Dame took advantage of the situation that saw Thea Hail attacked earlier in the night to pick up the shock victory and capture her first championship in WWE.
Drew McIntyre Wins WWE Championship – January 9 SmackDown
On the January 9 SmackDown, McIntyre challenged Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship in a 3 Stages of Hell match. With McIntyre winning the first standard match and Rhodes winning the falls count anywhere match, both men faced off in a steel cage for the decider. Thanks to a returning Jacob Fatu, who brawled with both McIntyre and Rhodes, McIntyre took advantage of the chaos to fall out the door and win the title for a 3rd time.
The MFTs Win WWE Tag Team Championships – January 23 SmackDown
Things got personal between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs when Solo Sikoa stole the prized lantern away from the group. Looking to take more away from The Wyatts, the two teams faced off on the January 23 SmackDown, with The MFTs capturing the Tag Titles for a second time.
Joe Hendry Wins NXT Championship – February 3 WWE NXT
After Oba Femi relinquished the title at the start of the year, the developmental brand was in need of a top champion once more. When all was said and done in a chaotic ladder match at the end of the show, it was Joe Hendry who unhooked the gold to become the champion for the first time in his career. Additionally, Hendry became one of the seelct few to hold both the NXT and TNA World Championships in his pro wrestling career.
The Vanity Project Win NXT Tag Team Championships – February 24 NXT
Kicking off a triple header of title changes in one night, Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes won their first titles in WWE as they defeated DarkState to capture the NXT Tag Team Championships. Thanks to an assist from Tony D’Angelo, Vanity Project capitalised to make their mark on NXT.
Elio LeFleur Wins WWE Speed Championship – February 24 NXT
With the time limit extended to 7 minutes, LeFleur defeated now former champion Jasper Troy and Eli Knight to also win the first championship of his WWE career. LeFleur jumped off the top rope and onto Troy to win the gold.
Myles Borne Wins NXT North American Championship – February 24 NXT
Capping off a night of title changes, Borne defeated Ethan Page to bring Page’s lengthy title run to an end, which saw the Canadian defend the title more than anyone else in the championship’s victory. With interference throughout, Vanity Project, Hank & Tank, Shiloh Hill, Ricky Saints and Joe Hendry all made appearances, but it was Borne who ultimately stood tall to hit Borne again, pin Page and win his first championship in WWE.
Nia Jax And Lash Legend Win Women’s Tag Team Championships – WWE SmackDown February 27
On the final episode of SmackDown before Elimination Chamber, Nia Jax and Lash Legend defeated Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY to capture the Women’s Tag Team Championships, which was also Legend’s first-ever championship reign in WWE. Legend was given the big moment in the match as she hit Ripley with the Lash Extension to win the match and the championships.
AJ Lee Wins Women’s Intercontinental Championship – Elimination Chamber
24 hours after the Women’s Tag Titles changed hands, AJ Lee remained undefeated since her WWE return last year as she defeated Becky Lynch to win her first championship in over a decade. Despite Lynch’s underhanded tactics and a ref bump, Lee emerged the winner after locking in the Black Widow onto her rival to force the submission.
Penta Wins Intercontinental Championship – WWE Raw March 2
On the Raw after Elimination Chamber, Penta was given another opportunity at Dominik Mysterio’s Intercontinental Championship. Prior to the match, Danhausen cursed Mysterio, which has since become canon in WWE storyline. While Mysterio attempted to use the ring bell hammer, Finn Balor stopped the weapon from being used. Capitalising on the confusion, Penta hit the destroyer onto Mysterio to win the match and his first championship in WWE.
Cody Rhodes Wins WWE Championship – SmackDown March 6
As Drew McIntyre interfered in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, he was forced to put his WWE Championship on the line on the next episode of SmackDown. Following a chaotic bout that featured multiple ref bumps, Jacob Fatu prevented McIntyre from using a chair. From there, Rhodes hit McIntye with a super Cody Cutter and a Cross Rhodes to win the title for the third time in his career.
Tatum Paxley Wins Women’s North American Championship – NXT Vengeance Day
Although the former champion Izzi Dame was accompanied by Niko Vance and Shawn Spears, Tatum Paxley was able to overcome the odds at Vengeance Day. Spears attempted to interfere multiple times, but was accidentally knocked off the apron by Dame. Paxley hit a Cemetery Drive to win the match and the title.
R-Truth And Damian Priest Win WWE Tag Team Championships – March 20 SmackDown
The unlikely duo of Priest and Truth won big on the March 20 edition of SmackDown. Despite the fact that Priest was at first reluctant to team with Truth, the team earned their opportunity at The MFTs after winning a gauntlet match a couple of weeks prior. Thanks to an assist from The Wyatt Sicks, Truth hit the Attitude Adjustment to pay homage to his childhood hero John Cena to win the match and the titles.
Featured images: WWE
