3 Things Triple H Got Right on WWE SmackDown Before Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII

Oba Femi, Cody Rhodes
Oba Femi & Cody Rhodes [Image Source: WWE.com]

The latest episode of SmackDown was the go-home show before Saturday Night's Main Event XLII. The atmosphere was thick and the air was filled with melancholy as John Cena's retirement loomed on the horizon. Amid this, Triple H managed to deliver a decent show from Wilkes-Barre that included a championship defense and a mixed tag team match.

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Friday Night SmackDown has been draped in criticisms lately due to the degrading quality of the show and the lack of substantial elements. Week after week, the same things have been repeating in a loop, making the product monotonous for the fans. It is barely possible to point out any positives, given the substandard position the blue brand's show is in.

However, let's take a look at three things Triple H did right on the SmackDown before Saturday Night's Main Event:

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#3. Confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi

Apart from John Cena's retirement match, Saturday Night's Main Event will feature three exhibition matches, with NXT's rising stars facing off against main roster talents. Unfortunately, there has been no build of those matches. Neither Bayley & Sol Ruca had a face-off, nor did AJ Styles and Dragon Lee have a confrontation with Je'Von Evans & Leon Slater.

John Cena's last match opening SNME - Check out Why!

However, the good thing Triple H did this week on SmackDown was having Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi in a segment. The NXT Champion will battle the Undisputed WWE Champion at SNME and it would have been lamentable if they didn't come face-to-face. However, the company did the right thing by making them confront each other on the blue brand.

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#2. Filling SmackDown with John Cena tributes

The biggest highlight heading into Saturday Night's Main Event is John Cena's farewell match. And Triple H did the right thing by keeping it the central focus of the final SmackDown before SNME. WWE featured several tribute videos throughout the show last night to commemorate Cena's legacy and hype the WWE Universe about the last ride they are set to have in Washington, D.C.

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The company played video packages where celebrities sent good wishes to The Cenation Leader ahead of his retirement. Michael Cole also ensured to keep the tone of the show emotional and real by highlighting John Cena's decorated career. It was the right move to make the wrestling world sink in that Saturday Night's Main Event would truly mark the end of an era.

#1. The Terror Twins winning the Mixed Tag Team Match

The main event of SmackDown last night saw an incredible showdown. Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley teamed up to battle Aleister Black and Zelina Vega in a mixed tag team match. Both teams gave their absolute best, but it is The Terror Twins that ultimately emerged victorious. Letting Priest and Ripley win was indeed the right call by Triple H.

The Archer of Infamy has been struggling to solidify his footing on the blue brand for the past few months. He desperately needed that victory to regain his credibility and get back his momentum. Besides, it wouldn't have been a wise decision to let Rhea Ripley lose, who especially came to SmackDown to aid Damian Priest. Hence. WWE did the right thing by letting the babyface duo win.

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Edited by Subhasish Deb
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