Giulia and Kiana James ended their partnership after a violent confrontation during the June 5, 2026 [1], episode of WWE SmackDown.

The split marks a significant shift in the women's division as two prominent allies transition into rivals following a high-stakes tournament failure.

The incident occurred at the Unipol Arena in Bologna, Italy [2]. The tension peaked following a first-round fatal-four-way contest [3] as part of the Queen of the Ring tournament. After the match concluded in a loss, the partnership collapsed in a physical altercation.

Reports on the exact nature of the betrayal vary. One account said Kiana James turned on Giulia after the match [4]. Another report said Giulia snapped and attacked James, potentially signaling a transition for Giulia into a babyface role [5]. Despite the conflicting accounts of who initiated the strike, the result was the definitive end of the duo's alliance [6].

The loss in the Queen of the Ring tournament served as the catalyst for the breakdown. Frustration over the defeat led to the attack, effectively dissolving the team in front of the live crowd in Bologna [2].

This development leaves both wrestlers to navigate the remainder of the tournament and the wider division as singles competitors. The fallout from the fatal-four-way match has shifted the trajectory for both athletes as they move away from their previous collaborative strategy.

“The partnership ended after a hostile confrontation following a Queen of the Ring tournament loss in Italy”

The dissolution of the Giulia and Kiana James alliance removes a powerful unit from the women's division and sets the stage for a singles feud. By splitting during a high-profile international broadcast in Italy, WWE is positioning both athletes for individual character growth and potential championship pursuits without the constraint of a partnership.