On the August 18 episode of WWE RAW, Naomi announced that she is pregnant and has vacated the WWE Women’s Championship. The reveal came via a clip from Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story? podcast, where Naomi and Jimmy Uso shared the news. Although she initially told WWE official Adam Pearce she would not relinquish the belt, she later placed it in the center of the ring, vowing to return and reclaim her spot.
During the in-ring segment, after dismissing Pearce, Naomi joked that the women’s division could thank “Big Jim” and his affinity for “Netflix and chill.” After referencing that another member of The Bloodline was on the way, she formally laid down the championship. She stated she was giving the division “nine months and some change” and warned that she would be back to “pick up where she left off.” Naomi concluded with a message for whoever holds the title upon her return: “they best proceed with caution.”
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The announcement followed a week of speculation after Naomi was pulled from a scheduled title defense against IYO SKY on the previous week’s RAW. At the time, WWE announced she was not medically cleared to compete, which fueled rumors that a pregnancy was the reason for her sudden withdrawal from action.
Naomi’s third reign as champion ends after 36 days. She was scheduled to defend the title against Stephanie Vaquer at Clash In Paris on August 31. With the championship now vacant, Asuka and Stephanie Vaquer have been rumored as potential contenders for the title.
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