6 Changes To WWE SmackDown After WrestleMania 42

WWE

The WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania 42 will set the course of how the next few months on the brand will look.

Coming off the heels of Mania and the following WWE Raw, SmackDown could follow suit in offering some new arrivals or even returns along the way.

From new stars arriving to fresh storyline directions, there should be some changes that alter the landscape of the blue brand on this week’s show.

Here are six potential changes to WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania 42.

7. Fatal Influence Arrives On SmackDown

Looking at the WWE NXT roster, there has not been a group that can match the success of Fatal Influence over the past year.

Led by Jacy Jayne, Fatal Influence has sat at the mountaintop of the NXT women’s division in a major way.

With Jayne being a two-time NXT Women’s Champion and Fallon Henley a former WWE Speed Champion and Women’s North American Champion, it feels like they have what it takes to be a prominent main roster act sooner rather than later.

After Jayne dropped the NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver, the WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania 42 feels like the right time for Fatal Influence to make their presence felt on Friday nights.

6. Sheamus Returns

Back in November 2025, Sheamus became sidelined following a shoulder surgery.

‘The Celtic Warrior’ remains one of the most consistent in-ring workers on the WWE roster today.

While he was a Monday Night Raw roster member prior to his hiatus, it seems like there might be more room for Sheamus to find a prominent role for himself on SmackDown.

Whether it be joining the main event picture or going after another championship on the brand, Sheamus could be a crucial addition to Friday Night SmackDown if given the opportunity to shine on the April 24 episode following WrestleMania 42.

5. Blake Monroe Debuts

Ever since signing with WWE in June 2025, it has been quite clear that Blake Monroe will be a force to be reckoned with.

‘The Glamour’ came in with lofty expectations for her time in WWE after her massive success in STARDOM and All Elite Wrestling.

The former Mariah May has been part of one of the greatest women’s storylines of the modern era with ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm, while also being a former AEW Women’s World Champion.

After less than a year on the NXT brand, Monroe could take the next step in her WWE run by making her debut on the main roster on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 42.

4. Solo Sikoa & The MFTs Betray Tama Tonga

Over the past few months, Tama Tonga has started to break away from Solo Sikoa and The MFTs.

Stepping out on his own, Tama has been gaining momentum as a singles competitor with a series of key wins over the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and Ilja Dragunov.

This has caused some tension with Sikoa, who wants to maintain his status as the leader of The MFTs.

After their recent dissension and disagreements, things could come to a head on the WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania 42 where Solo may push Tama too far and lead to The MFTs turning on their brother in blood and arms.

3. Tiffany Stratton Wins The WWE Women’s United States Championship From Giulia

On the April 17 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Tiffany Stratton defeated Jordynne Grace to become the number one contender to challenge for the WWE Women’s United States Championship.

After returning to the company at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Stratton has been focused on winning some gold once again after her WWE Women’s Championship run ended in November 2025.

Meanwhile, Giulia has rarely defended her title in this second reign as the WWE Women’s United States Champion and needs to prove herself as a worthy titleholder.

Stratton defeating Giulia to win the Women’s US Title would be a memorable moment to take place during the SmackDown after Mania and change up the title picture moving forward.

2. Irresistible Forces Target Rhea Ripley’s WWE Women’s Championship

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One, Paige and Brie Bella defeated The Irresistible Forces, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.

After losing the gold to Paige and Brie, Nia Jax and Lash Legend could turn their attention to another title on the Friday Night SmackDown brand.

Elsewhere, Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women’s Championship at Mania Night Two.

After losing the tag titles alongside IYO SKY back in February, Rhea could find her first challenger on SmackDown from one half of the team who took the gold from her in The Irresistible Forces.

Cody Rhodes Relinquishes The Undisputed WWE Championship

At the WWE WrestleMania 42 Night One premium live event, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

After the bout, Orton viciously attacked Rhodes with a title belt and Punt Kick right to the head.

It emerged after the show that Cody had suffered an orbital bone injury and was under concussion protocol.

With so much uncertainty surrounding his health, the biggest surprise to come out of the WWE SmackDown after WrestleMania 42 could be Cody Rhodes being forced to relinquish Undisputed WWE Championship due to his injuries.

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