Since taking the lead on creative decisions, Triple H has overseen four WrestleMania events, delivering a mix of highly praised shows and disappointing cards. Despite some successes, one persistent issue remains clear as WrestleMania 42 approaches: Triple H’s inability to craft compelling women’s world title rivalries. Except for a single instance, the women’s title storylines under his guidance have consistently fallen flat, continuing a troubling pattern for WWE’s biggest event of the year.
Triple H has demonstrated he can book solid feuds in other areas of WWE, but the women’s world championship picture has been notably weak. For WrestleMania 39, the championship bouts lacked energy and excitement despite featuring top talents like Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. Similarly, Bianca Belair’s match with Asuka generated very little anticipation or drama. The following year, the matchup between Ripley and Becky Lynch was teased briefly but failed to ignite significant fan interest, even with two established stars involved.
Poorly Executed Women’s World Title Feuds in Recent WrestleMania Events
The World Heavyweight Championship itself has an extensive legacy filled with memorable moments, yet the women’s title scenes in recent WrestleManias under Triple H’s booking tell a different, frustrating story. The previous year stands as an especially low point. The rivalry between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair derailed amid real-life tension and off-script promos, which, while adding intensity, could not overshadow the overall chaos and disorder surrounding their storyline.
Even worse was the buildup to the triple threat match involving Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and Iyo Sky. For weeks, the angle revolved around Ripley and Belair pushing Sky aside, repeating the same conflict in every segment until it became unbearable and boring for viewers. Additionally, Ripley’s character suffered severely, portrayed immaturely just to force her inclusion in the title match. Despite the messy buildup, Triple H was fortunate that the match itself emerged as the highlight of the weekend, masking one of the weakest story constructions in WrestleMania history.
Bayley and Iyo Sky Provide a Rare Example of Strong Build-Up
It is important to acknowledge that not all women’s world title storylines booked by Triple H have failed. Before WrestleMania 40, the rivalry between WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky and former ally Bayley was developed thoughtfully over several months. The Damage CTRL faction’s internal tensions and eventual betrayal, including Bayley’s Royal Rumble victory and ousting from the group, were well-executed and built steady anticipation.
The personal conflict between Bayley and Sky was evident, with engaging promos and compelling segments each week that heightened fan interest ahead of their match. Their encounter delivered not just quality in-ring action but also meaningful storytelling lacking in other women’s title bouts. The success of this feud highlights the importance of deliberate long-term planning, which allowed the rivalry to develop naturally and reach a satisfying payoff at WrestleMania.
Meanwhile, WWE reportedly has yet to confirm any significant plans for Gunther’s appearance at WrestleMania, signaling ongoing booking challenges within other divisions as well. The contrast between Bayley and Sky’s carefully constructed storyline and most of Triple H’s women’s title matches underscores how crucial meticulous narrative groundwork is for success.
WrestleMania 42 Women’s Title Feuds Show Repetition of Past Mistakes
Despite this track record, Triple H appears to be repeating prior mistakes as WrestleMania 42 nears. The feud between Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer has failed to generate meaningful momentum, their promos lacking the impact needed to excite audiences for a marquee match. Likewise, the rivalry between Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill started on a poor note with an awkward online confrontation blurring professional boundaries.
The tension only worsened with one of the weakest promo exchanges seen on SmackDown so far this year, which drained energy from their buildup and left fans disappointed. WWE’s handling of Ripley and Cargill’s storyline exemplifies how poor creative decisions can hamper the prominence and credibility of major women’s title feuds during WrestleMania season.
Overall, Triple H’s struggle with long-term storyline development has affected every WWE division throughout 2026, with the women’s world title narratives repeatedly overlooked or mishandled. Unless addressed, this pattern threatens to diminish the impact and prestige of WWE’s premier annual event in future years.
