WWE announces title match for SmackDown; could have major impact on Crown Jewel 2026 card

WWE is only two weeks away from presenting its next Premium Live Event, Crown Jewel 2026. However, the company has announced a major title match to take place on the upcoming episode of SmackDown. This could lead to the card for Crown Jewel being altered in a major way should the challenger emerge victorious and defeat the champion.WWE Women’s title match announced for SmackDownSmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis posted a video on X announcing that Roxanne Perez will challenge Chelsea Green for the WWE Women’s Championship. The match will take place on the upcoming October 23rd edition of Friday Night SmackDown.Why could this match's outcome have a major impact on the WWE Crown Jewel 2026 card?If the match ends with Roxanne Perez defeating Chelsea Green and becoming the new WWE Women’s Champion, she will replace her in the upcoming Champion vs. Champion match for the Crown Jewel Championship at the namesake PLE set for November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, her opponent will be none other than her Judgment Day ally, Liv Morgan, who is the reigning WWE Women’s World Champion after winning back the title from Stephanie Vaquer in a triple-threat match involving Becky Lynch at Money in the Bank 2026 PLE.How did Roxanne Perez earn the opportunity to challenge Chelsea Green for the WWE Women’s title?On the October 12 episode of RAW after Money in the Bank, Chelsea Green interrupted Liv Morgan's championship-win celebration. After a back-and-forth exchange, an impromptu non-title match was made between Green and Morgan’s ally, Roxanne Perez. Despite multiple interferences from Judgment Day, Green held her own and fought valiantly against the Prodigy. However, the numbers game proved too much for her, as a distraction led Perez to deliver a Pop Rox on Green and pick up a huge win.Therefore, she likely earned the opportunity after pinning the reigning WWE Women’s Champion in a singles match. So, Perez has an opportunity to head into the historic title match at Crown Jewel PLE, but first she needs to defeat Green one more time on the upcoming episode of SmackDown, which is expected to be an incredible showdown.Also read: 5 WWE Crown Jewel matches that were show stealers including John Cena’s classic showdownStay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.