5 Things Triple H Got Right on WWE SmackDown This Week

”
], { type: “text/html” }
);
const iframe = document.createElement(“iframe”);
iframe.src = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
iframe.style.cssText = “width:100%;height:100%;border:0;”;
container.appendChild(iframe);
attachIframeMessageListener(iframe);
}
const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, obs) => {
const entry = entries[0];
if (entry.isIntersecting) {
obs.unobserve(entry.target);
requestIdleCallback(() => {
initWidget(entry.target);
}, {
timeout: 200
});
}
}, {
root: null,
rootMargin: “300px 0px”,
threshold: 0.01
});
requestIdleCallback(() => {
$all(“.nl-inline-form-container”).forEach((c) => {
observer.observe(c);
});
});
})();

With that out of the way, here are five things that WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H got right on the show.

#5. Making Rhea Ripley win and repel her rivals

Despite no matches being advertised for the show, Rhea Ripley came in to face Michin. The match ended in favor of Ripley as she made her opponent tap out using the Prison Trap submission move.

After being taken out by her rivals for the past two weeks, it was important for Ripley to be portrayed dominantly. WWE has made submission finishes a rarity in the modern era, which is why it was a major boost for the 2026 Women’s Elimination Chamber Match winner on the road to WrestleMania 42.

Naturally, there was bound to be a post match attack and Ripley was to be outnumbered. However, she received help in the form of a surprise appearance from IYO SKY, her former tag team partner, who is predominantly appearing on RAW.

Having Ripley stand tall made her look strong and restored her credibility to an extent in the ongoing feud.

#4. Showcasing the tension between Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga

This week’s episode of SmackDown continued to showcase the tension between Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga of the MFTs. Tama questioned why having the Wyatt’s lantern was necessary for the team as it had only brought misfortune and turmoil for them.

Tonga faced Howdy in a singles match, and appeared all alone. However, he was defeated by the leader of the Wyatt Sicks and ended up stopping Solo Sikoa from retrieving the lantern. WWE did a great job showcasing the tension between the two teammates.

The company has been teasing Tama breaking away from the MFTs for a while following his backstage interactions with Shinsuke Nakamura. It now seems like a major step was taken on the show following Tonga’s loss and the post match angle where he argued with Sikoa and allowed Howdy to take the lantern back.

#3. Showcasing the WWE Tag Team Championship on SmackDown

Damian Priest and R-Truth defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Miz and Kit Wilson tonight on SmackDown. Now that the titles are out of the Wyatt Sicks-MFT feud, it feels like the twh division is back to being restored.

The tag division was showcased with a title match, and it also had a unique finish. The Miz countered Danhausen’s curse in a unique manner, and it protected the challengers while also allowing the referee to steal the spotlight.

It allowed the creative team to showcase the tag division while also furthering Danhausen’s involvement. Overall, it was a humorous way to release the tension from the other segments.

#2. Giving Randy Orton the upper hand in his hometown

Fans were quite disappointed when it was unceremoniously revealed that Orton was on the phone with Pat McAfee over the past few weeks. Cody Rhodes came in and floored Kit Wilson with a Cross Rhodes before suddenly revealing the mystery.

However, just when it seemed that Cody Rhodes was about to stand tall over Randy Orton in St. Louis despite the fans booing him, Pat McAfee came in to take him out with a low blow. The terrible mic work aside, the silver lining was that Orton stood tall in his hometown at the end of the segment.

Randy Orton’s heel turn has largely been unsuccessful since the fans are still cheering him. However, it was a good decision to have him stand tall once again on the road to WrestleMania 42, especially with the crowd on his side.

#1. Having Trick Williams stand tall at the end of SmackDown

After the sudden United States Championship change last week where Sami Zayn dethroned Carmelo Hayes, the title was defended once again this week with Hayes getting a rematch. However, Zayn retained his title against the former champion.

That wasn’t the end of the show as Trick Williams took out the former NXT Champion with a Trick Shot to stand tall. Lil Yachty handed him the US Title and he posed with it to close SmackDown.

Williams has been portrayed as a huge star ever since he arrived on the main roster. It seems likely that he will be crowned as the new champion at WrestleMania 42, and tonight’s edition of SmackDown was a great way for him to be showcased like a major star. Regardless of how things turn out, it was a good decision to have him stand tall to close the show.

`;
if (index == 3 && isOpera) {
storyHTML += `

`;
}
recommendedArticlesContainer.innerHTML += storyHTML;
});
}
}
function getStoryActionHTML(story, storyTitle, permalink) {
if (shouldHidePostActions) return “”;
return `

`;
}
function recommendedArticles() {
var baseUrl = “https://cf-gotham.sportskeeda.com/recommendations/post/5-things-triple-h-got-right-wwe-smackdown-this-week-b1a8d306?lang=en&category=wwe”;
pureJSAjaxGet(baseUrl, function(data) {
renderRecommendedArticles(data);
if (isOpera) {
renderOperaFeedAd();
}
}, function() {}, false);
}
var options = {
root: null,
rootMargin: “0px 0px 70% 0px”,
threshold: 0.1
};
var observer = new IntersectionObserver(function (entries) {
entries.forEach(function (entry) {
if (entry.isIntersecting) {
recommendedArticles();
observer.unobserve(entry.target);
}
});
}, options);
var targetElement;
if (showAlsoReadSection && !showAlsoReadSectionV2) {
targetElement = document.querySelector(‘.also-read-articles-container’);
} else {
targetElement = document.querySelector(‘.recommended-posts’);
}
if (targetElement) {
observer.observe(targetElement);
}
function renderOperaFeedAd() {
var operaFeedArticleAd = $(“.opera-article-feed-ad”);
if (!operaFeedArticleAd) {
return;
}
var firstScript= document.createElement(‘script’);
firstScript.setAttribute(“type”, “text/javascript”);
firstScript.setAttribute(“src”, “https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1883810847636355”);
firstScript.setAttribute(“async”, true);
firstScript.setAttribute(“crossorigin”, “anonymous”);
operaFeedArticleAd.appendChild(firstScript);
operaFeedArticleAd.innerHTML += `

`;
var secondScript = document.createElement(‘script’);
var secondScriptCode=””;
try {
secondScript.appendChild(document.createTextNode(secondScriptCode));
operaFeedArticleAd.appendChild(secondScript);
} catch (e) {
console.error(e);
}
}
})();

Fetching more content…