WWE is on the road to WrestleMania 42 and there are still six weeks left before The Show of Shows.
Over the next few weeks, there will be some noteworthy matches on Friday Night SmackDown before the company gets to Las Vegas, Nevada.
From title bouts to grudges being settled, the bouts that fans see on the blue brand should deliver some great action and results that will shape what they see at Mania this April.
Here are eight potential matches at WWE SmackDown before WrestleMania 42.
8. Giulia vs. IYO SKY
Ahead of the February 20 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, WWE announced Giulia vs. IYO SKY for the first time in the company.
However, it was announced that a change was made with Rhea Ripley replacing SKY in this bout against Giulia on the show.
No reason was revealed in regards to Rhea replacing IYO, which raised some eyebrows from the fanbase.
This should lead to Giulia facing IYO in a showdown on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown that might change what fans get for the WWE Women’s United States Championship at WrestleMania 42.
Click the next page button below for more.
7. Carmelo Hayes vs. Tama Tonga for the WWE United States Championship
On the February 13 episode of WWE SmackDown, The MFTs defeated Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, Matt Cardona, Apollo Crews and Shinsuke Nakamura.
To pick up the win in this 10-Man Tag Team match, Tama Tonga pinned the reigning United States Champion.
This will likely lead to Tonga challenging Hayes for the US Title after chasing the championship over the past few months.
Hayes battling Tonga could be a competitive United States Championship match and may see The MFTs adding more gold to their stable.
Click the next page button below for more.
6. Jade Cargill vs. Michin
Over the past few weeks, Jade Cargill has been waiting in the wings for her next challenger for the WWE Women’s Championship.
While Cargill had her attention on the participants in the Women’s Elimination Chamber, Michin and B-Fab recently returned to start playing their own mind games with the WWE Women’s Champion.
Before her recent injury, Michin was scheduled to challenge Cargill for the title on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
Cargill facing Michin makes a lot of sense for SmackDown in the weeks to come ahead of WrestleMania 42.
Click the next page button below for more.
5. The Irresistible Forces vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Nia Jax and Lash Legend, known as The Irresistible Forces, combined their forces ahead of WWE Survivor Series 2025 at the expense of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.
After several battles over the next few months, The Irresistible Forces turned their attention to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Then on the February 27 episode of SmackDown, Jax and Legend defeated RHIYO to win the titles.
With so many duos aiming at the gold, The Irresistible Forces could defend their titles against their rivals in Flair and Bliss before WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Click the next page button below for more.
4. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
Trick Williams has quickly become one of the most popular stars in all of WWE ever since getting called up to the main roster.
During his run on Friday Night SmackDown, Williams has crossed paths with Damian Priest on more than one occasion.
While their first singles meeting resulted in a no contest, Williams pinned Priest during a triple threat with Carmelo Hayes to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber on the February 20 episode of SmackDown.
This should lead to a rematch between Trick and Priest ahead of WrestleMania 42 in the coming weeks on the blue brand.
Click the next page button below for more.
3. The MFTs vs. The Wyatt Sicks in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match
The war between The MFTs and The Wyatt Sicks has been one of the most heated rivalries in all of WWE today.
Since October 2025, Solo Sikoa’s family tree has been at odds with Uncle Howdy’s band of outcasts.
From trading the WWE Tag Team Championship to battling over Howdy’s lantern, The MFTs and The Wyatt Sicks feel like they are heading to a massive collision course that may just happen before WrestleMania 42.
Pitting these warring factions in the ring one last time before this April, WWE could deliver a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match between The MFTs and The Wyatt Sicks in the weeks to come on SmackDown.
Click the next page button below for more.
2. Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn
At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Ever since this loss, fans have been seeing frustration and anger from Zayn towards some of his friends, such as Cody Rhodes.
The February 20 episode of Friday Night SmackDown saw an intense backstage confrontation between Rhodes and Zayn that had fans talking.
With Rhodes set to challenge McIntyre for the WWE Title on SmackDown, and WrestleMania 42 a few weeks away, Zayn might just face The American Nightmare in singles competition before The Showcase of the Immortals.
Click the next page button below for more.
1. Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre
On the February 20 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Aleister Black defeated Randy Orton in an upset thanks in large part to outside interference from Drew McIntyre.
Wanting to get under Cody Rhodes’ skin, McIntyre cost his friend Orton his match, but he just gained another enemy in the process.
This led to both Rhodes and Orton attacking McIntyre when he tried to get involved in the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026.
With over a month away before WrestleMania 42, it makes sense if the Chamber winner faces McIntyre, who just may be a former Undisputed WWE Champion by the time the March 6 episode of SmackDown concludes.
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Comments.
Loading comments…