WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event delivered excitement this weekend with its inaugural Women's United States Championship match between Chelsea Green and Michin. The event, broadcasted live on NBC on December 14, 2024, from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, made history as two talented wrestlers fought for this newly established title.
Before the highly anticipated match, Michin took the time to proudly showcase her alma mater, Virginia Union University (VUU), which has long been recognized for its storied athletic programs. Michin arrived at the arena donning her vibrant VUU letterman jacket, celebrating her roots and the institution where she honed her athletic abilities. Notably, Michin attended VUU after receiving a volleyball scholarship, having expressed her gratitude for the role the university played in her life during her interviews as far back as 2018. "I wanted to earn a college volleyball scholarship because my academics wouldn’t be enough to qualify entry to the colleges I wanted," shared Michin during her time at WWE.com. Although she transferred to Marymount University later, she remains connected to her HBCU background.
The match opened with both competitors eager to establish dominance. Chelsea Green, known for her strategic and agile style, attempted early to gain the advantage with aggressive moves. The tide turned, though, when Michin countered with impressive German suplexes, demonstrating her strength and technical prowess. It was clear from the onset what was at stake for both women, as this match marked not only their rivalry but also the potential for redefining women's wrestling within WWE.
With the referee momentarily distracted, the interference of Piper Niven became an unexpected turning point. Niven, aligned with Green, provided her teammate the assistance needed to recover from Michin’s offense. This led to Green regaining control, hitting Michin with her trademark moves, including the Rough Ryder. The spirited crowd rallied behind Michin, chanting her name as she continued to fight back against Green's onslaught.
Despite the interruptions and setbacks, Michin’s resilience shone through. After nailing Green with her "Eat Defeat" finisher, Michin was close to victory, but Green managed to put her foot on the rope, breaking the count. The momentum swung yet again when Green accidentally collided with Niven, allowing Michin to capitalize on the moment and launch her cannonball off the apron, showcasing her athleticism.
With tension rising and the match reaching its peak, fans were treated to high-octane action as both women exchanged blows and near-falls. Whenever Michin seemed to gain the upper hand, Green's tenacity and Niven's meddling kept the match unpredictable. The drama built to its climax as the crowd could not help but react fervently to every twist and turn.
Eventually, after another distraction from Niven, Green managed to execute her finishing move, the Unprettier, securing her victory at 8:06 and capturing the title of the inaugural Women's United States Champion. The match concluded with exuberant celebrations from Niven and Green, complete with fireworks and cheers. Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis presented Green with the championship belt, marking this milestone moment for her career.
While Michin did not walk away with the championship, her historic representation of Virginia Union University and her competitive spirit did not go unnoticed. The match effectively highlighted the significance of women's wrestling and the cultural pride of historically black colleges and universities within the sport.
WWE will continue to air Smackdown on Fridays at 8 PM EST/7 PM CST, giving fans more opportunities to see their favorite wrestlers and witness the evolution of women’s wrestling as they navigate the competitive world of professional wrestling.
