Here’s a bold statement: WWE’s handling of Kiana James and Giulia is sparking a debate that’s dividing fans and analysts alike. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite Giulia’s impressive resume and her current reign as the WWE Women’s United States Champion, it seems WWE is positioning Kiana James as the breakout star of the duo. Let’s break it down.
Not long ago, Giulia made waves when she joined WWE, bringing with her a stellar reputation from her time in Stardom and Marigold. Fast forward to today, and she finds herself in the midcard on SmackDown, teaming up with Kiana James. And this is the part most people miss—even though Giulia holds a prestigious title, it was she who took the pin in a recent tag team match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY, not James. This small but significant detail has raised eyebrows across the wrestling world.
During a discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez dove deep into this dynamic. Meltzer boldly stated, ‘I think WWE has come to the idea that Kiana James is actually the bigger star than Giulia.’ Alvarez echoed this sentiment, pointing out James’ recent high-profile win and her strong performance in the Royal Rumble. ‘She’s being pushed,’ Alvarez noted, ‘and it’s hard to ignore.’
Let’s talk numbers for a moment. In the Women’s Royal Rumble, Giulia eliminated one more wrestler than James but was eliminated after just over fifteen minutes by Lyra Valkyria. In contrast, James entered third and lasted an impressive twenty-seven and a half minutes before being taken out by Raquel Rodriguez. Out of thirty participants, only a handful—including Charlotte Flair, Sol Ruca, Lash Legend, Rodriguez, IYO SKY, and eventual winner Liv Morgan—outlasted her. Is this a clear sign of WWE’s favoritism, or are we reading too much into it?
This shift in focus raises questions about WWE’s long-term strategy. Are they grooming Kiana James for a major push while sidelining Giulia, despite her championship status? Or is this just a temporary narrative twist to build intrigue? Here’s where you come in—what do you think? Is WWE making the right call, or are they undervaluing Giulia’s potential? Let’s spark a conversation in the comments and debate this head-on. One thing’s for sure: the dynamics between these two stars are far from settled, and we’re all here for the ride.
