The upcoming SmackDown episode will unfold shortly after a tumultuous Elimination Chamber event, with prominent WWE stars such as Rhea Ripley, Cody Rhodes, and Drew McIntyre set to appear. This Friday’s show marks the official start of the WrestleMania 42 build, making it an essential installment for the WWE SmackDown WrestleMania build. At this critical juncture, Triple H must exercise extreme caution in his creative decisions to prevent any costly errors.
Any misstep from Triple H could disrupt the momentum of SmackDown and derail ongoing storylines as WrestleMania approaches. This article highlights four major mistakes that should be strictly avoided to maintain a strong narrative and keep fans engaged heading into WWE’s biggest event of the year.
Failure to Establish a Clear Path for Carmelo Hayes at WrestleMania
Carmelo Hayes, the current United States Champion, has been frequently defending his title through open challenges, but without a defined storyline or significant rivalries. With WrestleMania 42 imminent, it is imperative that Triple H assigns Hayes a concrete feud or narrative direction on this week’s episode. Relegating Hayes to mere open challenges once again will squander a crucial opportunity to elevate his status and add weight to his championship run.
If WWE continues to ignore developing a proper storyline for Carmelo Hayes now, it risks undermining the importance of the United States Championship on the blue brand. This episode should launch a meaningful WrestleMania buildup for Hayes’ title, engaging viewers with a serious and compelling rivalry.
Handling the Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill Rivalry with Care
The burgeoning rivalry between Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill has begun gaining traction, fueled by recent tensions spilling onto social media. These two women are scheduled to face off in a highly anticipated match for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42. Triple H must ensure that the feud’s development on SmackDown is carefully crafted to showcase the match’s importance and excitement.
Past trends show WWE sometimes struggles to capitalize properly on organic feuds as they heat up. This week, Ripley and Cargill will share the SmackDown stage, and it is essential that their segment is booked in a way that highlights their clash as a marquee WrestleMania moment, avoiding any missteps that could weaken the storyline’s momentum.
Ending the Creative Neglect of Giulia
Giulia’s recent booking has been disappointingly uninspired, leaving the Women’s United States Champion without a clear direction for months. With WrestleMania 42 fast approaching, Triple H must put an end to this stagnation and begin positioning Giulia for a prominent storyline. Her talents and championship status demand a serious WrestleMania feud, which should be seeded during this Friday’s SmackDown.
Maintaining creative apathy toward Giulia would waste valuable time and fail to maximize her potential to add depth and excitement to the women’s division. Providing her with a compelling feud now will strengthen the show’s overall narrative and give fans a fresh, engaging storyline to follow.
Preserving Drew McIntyre’s Hold on the Undisputed WWE Championship
One of the gravest errors would be stripping Drew McIntyre of the Undisputed WWE Championship on this week’s SmackDown. McIntyre, known as the Scottish Warrior, is set to defend his title against Cody Rhodes in a highly anticipated match. Despite rumors hinting at a possible title change, it is crucial that the champion retains his belt to preserve his momentum heading into WrestleMania 42.
A loss so soon after capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship would severely damage McIntyre’s character development and nullify months of buildup. This destabilization could ripple through the brand’s storytelling and weaken the stakes for the event’s biggest match. Triple H must avoid this mistake to protect the integrity of McIntyre’s reign and maintain a strong championship storyline heading into WWE’s premier show.
Overall, as WrestleMania 42 draws near, every decision on SmackDown carries outsized importance. Missteps in handling Carmelo Hayes, Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill’s rivalry, Giulia’s creative trajectory, or Drew McIntyre’s championship status could cause significant disruptions. By steering clear of these pitfalls, Triple H can ensure the blue brand delivers a powerful and memorable WrestleMania buildup that keeps fans invested and excited for what’s to come.
Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill exchanged some words on X. @RheaRipley_WWE @Jade_Cargill pic.twitter.com/j9wCvhIpkt
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) March 2, 2026
