The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship division has faced significant criticism regarding its lack of activity, as current champions Brie Bella and Paige have not defended their titles in a televised match since May 23. This inactivity follows a period where the pair traveled for WWE’s European tour without competing in any sanctioned bouts, raising questions about the creative direction of the tag team titles.
Why have the Women’s Tag Team Champions been inactive?
The current stagnation in the women’s tag team division stems from a combination of limited in-ring usage and a lack of title defenses. Despite holding the championships, Brie Bella and Paige were absent from active competition during the recent European tour, appearing only in brief backstage segments.
According to WWE’s official programming records, the champions have defended their titles only three times since winning the belts. The lack of frequency in title defenses stands in contrast to the period immediately preceding WrestleMania, when multiple teams were actively competing for a position as the number one contender. The recent match against Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley) was booked as a non-title bout, further signaling a cooling period for the championships.
How does the current booking affect the division?
The decision to book non-title matches involving the champions has drawn scrutiny regarding the prestige of the belts. When champions do not defend their titles against rising contenders, it creates a bottleneck in the division.
- Stalled Momentum: Teams like Fatal Influence, who are actively building a presence, find themselves in matches that do not advance their standing in the title picture.
- In-Ring Consistency: The lack of regular title defenses can impact the rhythm of the champions. Analysts have noted that performers who remain out of the ring for extended periods may face challenges in maintaining the physical conditioning required for high-stakes championship bouts.
- Narrative Uncertainty: Industry observers suggest that the current booking may be a placeholder strategy while the promotion waits for Nikki Bella to return to the road, which could facilitate a long-rumored storyline involving a split between the sisters and Paige.
Comparison of Title Activity
| Period | Title Defense Frequency | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-WrestleMania | High | Multiple teams contending for the gold. |
| Post-European Tour | Low | Limited usage of champions; non-title bouts. |
What happens next for the tag team titles?
WWE has not yet announced a formal contender for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. The current reliance on non-title matches and peripheral interference—such as the referee-led disqualification or distraction finishes seen in recent weeks—suggests that the creative team is currently prioritizing character development over immediate title progression.
For the division to regain the momentum it held earlier in the year, WWE will likely need to establish a clear hierarchy of contenders. As of now, the titles remain on Paige and Brie Bella, but the lack of consistent, high-stakes defenses leaves the future of the division in a state of flux. Fans should look for upcoming announcements on Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown to see if a new challenger emerges to force a title defense.
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