Kiana James returns, spotted on WWE SmackDown

Kiana James has resurfaced.

During Friday’s WWE SmackDown, James was seen in the background during an Alexa Bliss/Charlotte Flair segment talking to new United States Champion Giulia. Earlier in the night, she wrestled Michin in a match that will air on Main Event. It was James’ first match since last June, having been out of action for over a year due to a leg injury.

"I got us a Tag Team Title Match at SummerSlam."

But you guys aren’t friends? 🤨 @MsCharlotteWWE @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/N4L3Sfe5m4

— WWE (@WWE) July 19, 2025

Kiana James returned to WWE in her first match in over a year, facing Michin on a taping of Main Event before today’s #SmackDown. pic.twitter.com/p1uBCvnxhk

— Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) July 19, 2025

James is best known for her run in NXT, where she feuded with top stars such as Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch. She also held the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. In the 2024 WWE Draft, she was called up to the Raw roster but only wrestled a couple of matches before being sidelined.

Giulia won the Women’s United States Championship from Zelina Vega on the SmackDown that took place right before Night of Champions last month. Her only other match since then was competing in a battle royal at Evolution last weekend that was won by Stephanie Vaquer, who will now challenge for the Women’s World Championship next month in Paris.