So far in 2026, the extension of Friday Night SmackDown to a three-hour format has generally enhanced the show’s quality, with improvements in both matches and storylines. However, this positive trend does not hold true for all narratives on the blue brand, notably the ongoing feud between Wyatt Thicke and MFT, which has become one of the worst storylines to date. Since last year, these two factions have been locked in a prolonged conflict on SmackDown, but rather than evolving positively, their rivalry has deteriorated, negatively impacting everyone involved.
The feud, which began in October 2025 on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Perth, Australia, initially had strong fan reactions due to the rare and intense face-offs between two major factions. Nevertheless, the storyline soon lost its spark as it lacked creativity and failed to engage fans over the nearly four months it has persisted. This is a recurring issue in WWE’s creative direction, particularly under Triple H’s guidance, where some plots overstay their welcome, similar to other recent extended feuds like Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre & Cody Rhodes.
Recently, WWE tried to deepen this rivalry by introducing a personal element involving Solo Sikoa stealing Bray Wyatt’s iconic lantern. However, this angle came off as forced and melodramatic, reminiscent of WWE’s older era, and failed to resonate with the audience. Additionally, the storyline depicts Uncle Howdy repeatedly retrieving the lantern only to lose it again due to careless mistakes, which undermines the character’s credibility.
The in-ring performances in this feud have also been subpar. The initial match at the end of 2025 was chaotic and ended in a no-contest, followed by an eight-man tag match on January 9th that was technically sound but not memorable. The feud hit a low point on January 23rd when Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga captured the WWE Tag Team Championship in a dull and uninspired contest. Overall, this prolonged feud has contributed little positive momentum to any of the wrestlers involved and currently stands as WWE’s weakest storyline of 2026, with no clear end in sight—at least until Uncle Howdy regains the lantern.
Fan Take: This feud’s lack of direction and excitement is a missed opportunity for WWE to create compelling narrative and showcase its stars’ talents. For fans, its continuation risks further disengagement, emphasizing the need for fresh, innovative storylines to keep the SmackDown brand vibrant and entertaining.
