7 WWE stars Triple H may have lost faith in ahead of WrestleMania 42

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While it’s great for those performers, the booking strategy often leaves many others on the outside looking in. IYO SKY was the Women’s World Champion at this point last year.

She doesn’t have a match. The same goes for some other stars who held gold in 2025 and 2026. Triple H may have lost faith in the next seven WWE stars ahead of WrestleMania 42.

#7. Giulia and the WWE Women’s United States Title

Of all the championships in WWE, it feels like the Women’s United States Title is the least important. Bookers have failed nearly every person who’s held it. Part of the issue is heavily focusing on the women’s tag team division.

The other is bad booking. The title has been an inconsistent presence on SmackDown and was destined for a title match on the go-home show instead.

That appeared to be off the table as Giulia hasn’t been on SmackDown over the last two weeks. It took an announcement on Thursday to announce that the rematch will take place on the SmackDown before WrestleMania. It is a disservice to create a title only to forget about it. The Speed Titles in NXT get more attention.

#6. Ilja Dragunov & #5. Rey Fenix got lost in the shuffle

Ilja Dragunov was one of the recent US Champions to put that title back on the map thanks to the open challenge format. He beat Sami Zayn for the belt and dropped it to Carmelo Hayes.

Nearly every contest was the highlight on SmackDown. The Mad Dragon lost a rematch with Hayes a few weeks ago. WWE has barely used him since. It was apparent there wasn’t a spot for him at WrestleMania, which is unfortunate.

He’ll probably compete in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. Rey Fenix was an exciting addition to SmackDown last year. He brings it every time he hits the ring.

One big thing keeping him from being a regular each week on Friday nights is WWE’s acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA. Fenix is used there as well, ping-ponging him between two brands.

Ahead of WrestleMania, the former AEW star hasn’t been a priority. Hopefully, once the dust settles in Las Vegas, he’ll receive more focus on SmackDown each week.

#4. Aleister Black moves in and out of the shadows

Aleister Black has been back with WWE for a year, and unfortunately, has little to show for it. His character is unique and intriguing, but for some reason, The Game doesn’t book Black consistently each week.

Tormenting stars is Black’s favorite pastime lately, starting with Sami Zayn. He moved on to Matt Cardona, faced him, but then disappeared. He would pop up briefly backstage, but that was it.

Since he’s such a different type of character, you’d think Triple H would try to book him regularly to offer up an alternate type of heel. Instead, he’s been an afterthought on the Road to WrestleMania.

#3. Carmelo Hayes bad booking ahead of WrestleMania

Everyone blames Sami Zayn, but Hayes wouldn’t have lost the United States Title in the first place had Trick Williams stayed out of it. He sat ringside and tried to blast Zayn, but hit Hayes when the veteran ducked.

A lot of WWE fans are upset that Hayes carried the mid-card for the last few months but will now miss out on WrestleMania. The easiest way to solve that issue would have been to simply add Hayes to Trick vs. Zayn.

Trick never earned a title shot, but is over with the WWE Universe. Aldis gifted him a spot at WrestleMania, whereas Zayn wasn’t even considered, apparently. Zayn was instrumental in restarting Cena’s Open Challenges.

Without those, names like Hayes and Dragunov may not have even won the title. Hayes turns out to be the victim in this because of others. He truly did deserve a spot at WrestleMania.

#2. IYO SKY & #1. Tiffany Stratton defended titles at WrestleMania 41

Looking back one year, IYO SKY defended the Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair in a triple threat. She retained the title and held it until early summer, when Naomi cashed in Money in the Bank.

SKY was then thrust into a tag team with Ripley, and they won the titles. Once they dropped those, however, it’s been all about Mami with SKY as a side player. Her main contribution has been Ripley’s sidekick and target for her opponents.

Stratton faced and defeated Charlotte Flair last year, but has been off SmackDown for the last few weeks. She lost the WWE Women’s Title to Jade Cargill, and the change marred all the work Stratton did as champion.

It’s hard to book every star every week, but for two women who carried divisions in 2025, it’s a massive blunder to exclude either from WrestleMania 42.