Tonight, WWE SmackDown is set to air live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, making it the second episode leading up to the highly anticipated Elimination Chamber on February 28. Due to ongoing Olympic coverage, wrestling fans can catch this edition on the SyFy network.
A major highlight of tonight’s show will be the intense competition for a shot at the WWE Championship, as Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu face off against Sami Zayn in a triple threat match, which serves as a qualifying opportunity for the Elimination Chamber. With both Rhodes and Fatu eager to challenge current champion Drew McIntyre, the stakes are high. However, only one of them is guaranteed a shot at a spot in the Chamber, leading to speculation about potential WWE booking strategies. There’s always a possibility for a “last chance” qualifying match before the pay-per-view, which could see both wrestlers still vying for glory at the Chamber. Additionally, an unexpected double pin involving Zayn could also pave the way to seeing both Rhodes and Fatu compete in the Chamber despite the outcome of tonight’s match.
As tensions rise, McIntyre’s involvement looms large. Having actively interfered in previous matches to eliminate both wrestlers, there’s a strong chance he might attempt to sabotage their chances again. Last week, he demonstrated his willingness to deter Rhodes, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he sought to do the same to Fatu this week, possibly favoring Zayn to advance.
In other matchups, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill will defend her title for the first time on television against Jordynne Grace after over 100 days as champion. There’s significant pressure on Cargill; a slip-up could tarnish her initial title reign legacy. Furthermore, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY will defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Nia Jax and Lash Legend, and a women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match featuring Alexa Bliss, Zelina Vega, and Women’s United States Champion Giulia will take place, with expectations leaning heavily in favor of Bliss and Giulia.
The card also includes a singles match featuring Trick Williams up against Rey Fenix, who seeks to make a statement after mocking Zayn last week. Williams, fresh off commentary during a pivotal qualifying match, is a favorite to secure a win.
As fans tune in, they can look forward to various narratives unfolding and the potential for surprises, such as whether Randy Orton will make an appearance following his qualification, and what Aleister Black’s plans are after his shocking return. The energy in the arena promises to be dynamic, and tonight’s episode of SmackDown sets the stage for powerful storytelling leading into Elimination Chamber.