Tiffany Stratton, the self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe,” turned Minneapolis into her personal cheering section during Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Clad in Vikings-inspired gear (because nothing says “home-field advantage” like horned helmets and purple flair), Stratton punched her ticket to the semi-finals of the WWE Women’s United States Championship tournament.
But let’s not kid ourselves—this wasn’t just about Stratton’s athleticism. This was wrestling, after all, where a well-timed distraction from Candice LeRae and a perfectly executed Prettiest Moonsault Ever made all the difference.
Chaos, Power Moves, and a Poison Pixie
The match was a Triple Threat barnburner featuring Stratton, Naomi, and Elektra Lopez. Lopez shined early on, capitalizing on the tensions between Naomi and Stratton post-WarGames. When Naomi and Stratton started going for each other like rival brides at a sample sale, Lopez stepped in, dominating with powerhouse moves, including a modified Blue Thunder Bomb that nearly sealed the deal.
But this is wrestling, folks—nearly doesn’t count.
Naomi looked to have the match won after landing her Split-legged Moonsault on Lopez. But that’s when LeRae, aka “The Poison Pixie,” injected herself into the chaos, distracting Naomi just long enough for Stratton to swoop in with a Swanton Bomb and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win. Minneapolis erupted like someone just announced free cheese curds at halftime.
Post-Match Frustration
While Stratton celebrated her victory with hometown flair, Naomi wasn’t exactly in a Minnesota Nice mood. The former Women’s Champion expressed her frustration, accusing Stratton and LeRae of being “on [her] neck.” Can you blame her? Triple Threat matches often feel less like wrestling and more like a high-stakes game of “Who’s Got Your Back?”
The Road to the U.S. Title
With this victory, Stratton moves on to face Michin in the semi-finals on December 13’s SmackDown. The stakes? A coveted spot in the finals at Saturday Night’s Main Event. For Stratton, it’s another chance to prove she’s not just a pretty moonsault—she’s the future face of the Women’s Division.