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Former NXT Champion Joins WWE SmackDown Roster

By John Canton • Published May 17, 2025 10:50 EDT
WWE logo over Giulia Roxanne Perez IYO SKY

A former champion in NXT has joined the WWE SmackDown roster.

Since Giulia lost the NXT Women’s Title to Stephanie Vaquer on the March 11th edition of NXT called Roadblock, it seemed like only a matter of time until she made it to the WWE main roster.

As the weeks passed, Giulia appeared more often on the main roster, usually as an ally of Roxanne Perez. Giulia had been a babyface in NXT at the start of her run in early 2024, but she became a heel in recent months.

In the main event of WWE Monday Night Raw on May 12th, Giulia teamed up with Roxanne Perez in a losing effort against the Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. At the time of the match, Giulia and Perez were referred to as NXT wrestlers, but that may not be the case anymore.

Nick Aldis Welcomes Giulia To WWE SmackDown

There was a backstage segment on WWE SmackDown in Greensboro during which Alexa Bliss was being interviewed, but she stopped to talk to Charlotte Flair. Bliss mentioned what they talked about last week, and Flair said she didn’t want to be friends with her.

As the former champions continued their discussion, Bliss mentioned that Flair was nice to her when she started in NXT, and Bliss never forgot that. Flair said they were never that close, and she didn’t remember that.

At that point, former NXT Women’s Champion Giulia was shown leaving the office of SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Nick walked out of the room to say that Giulia was the newest member of the Smackdown roster. Aldis told Charlotte they should talk about Money in the Bank. Flair told Bliss to stay out of her way because Flair doesn’t need her. Bliss told Flair to keep telling herself that.

On social media, Giulia issued a warning of sorts while commenting that SmackDown just got dangerous.