The final WWE SmackDown before Elimination Chamber 2026 delivered an explosive night from Louisville, Kentucky, shaking up title pictures and crucial tournament spots. Fans witnessed a dramatic Women’s Tag Team Championship change, a shocking qualifying match conclusion, and escalating tensions among Men’s Elimination Chamber contenders. This episode, broadcast live from the KFC Yum! Center, meticulously set a chaotic stage for the highly anticipated premium live event, ensuring viewers are hooked for what comes next.
Chaos Erupts: Jey Uso’s Attack & the Chamber Conundrum
The night’s drama began even before the broadcast hit the airwaves. Jey Uso, a scheduled participant in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, was brutally attacked backstage. He was quickly loaded into an ambulance, leaving his crucial spot in the upcoming premium live event in serious doubt. Jacob Fatu, enraged, accompanied Uso, while other competitors like Trick Williams seemed indifferent, remarking, “Better him than me.” This immediate crisis plunged the Elimination Chamber narrative into uncertainty.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis quickly found himself besieged with requests for Jey’s vacated spot. Drew McIntyre, despite being a champion, adopted an “outlaw” persona, denying any involvement in the attack while finding the situation “hilarious.” His claims drew the ire of Cody Rhodes, who challenged him to an immediate fight. Rhodes, seeking answers, directly confronted McIntyre, labeling his championship reign as running “like a little b!” Randy Orton then declared his singular focus: winning the Chamber, defeating McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, and securing his 15th world title. The ring soon became a battleground of words and actions, with Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and LA Knight all asserting their dominance. A brawl erupted between Knight and Williams, spilling backstage, while Orton sent a clear message to Evans with a devastating RKO.
Women’s Tag Titles Change Hands in Shocking Upset
One of the most significant moments of the evening saw Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY, collectively known as RHIYO, defend their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against the formidable duo of Nia Jax and Lash Legend, “The Irresistible Forces.” The atmosphere was electric as the champions, with Rhea Ripley already slated for the Women’s Elimination Chamber, put their secondary titles on the line. This 19-minute contest proved to be a hard-fought battle, showcasing both teams’ power and determination.
Despite the champions’ combined efforts and synchronized offense, Jax and Legend proved to be overwhelming. Lash Legend, demonstrating impressive strength and cunning, ultimately delivered her “Lash Extension” finisher to Rhea Ripley, securing the pinfall victory. This shocking upset crowned Nia Jax and Lash Legend as the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The loss adds unexpected pressure on Rhea Ripley just hours before her own crucial Chamber match, raising questions about her focus and the stability of her alliance with IYO SKY. Backstage reactions were mixed, with Jade Cargill interrupting several interviews to assert her dominance and Charlotte Flair expressing discomfort.
Uncle Howdy’s Victory Amidst Wyatt Sicks Intrigue
The enigmatic Uncle Howdy faced off against Solo Sikoa, who entered the ring carrying the Wyatt Sicks lantern he had controversially taken weeks prior. The match was a visceral encounter, with both competitors exchanging heavy blows. Sikoa showcased his brutal power, but Howdy proved resilient. The turning point saw Howdy capitalize on Sikoa’s aggression, securing a hard-fought win with a Sister Abigail.
The post-match scene quickly escalated into chaos. As Howdy attempted to reclaim his lantern, the MFTs (including Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga) viciously attacked him, making off with the prized artifact. The rest of the Wyatt Sicks faction, including Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross, rushed out to aid Howdy, but it was too late. This intense confrontation deepened the ongoing rivalry between the two factions, promising further developments in the coming weeks on WWE SmackDown.
Logan Paul Secures Chamber Spot in Controversial Main Event
The main event of the night was an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match, pitting Logan Paul against Jacob Fatu for the final coveted spot. The stakes were incredibly high, following Jey Uso’s earlier attack. Paul, accompanied by Austin Theory and Paul Heyman (known as The Vision), entered with a confident swagger, while Fatu was on a clear warpath, fueled by a desire to avenge Jey Uso and confront Drew McIntyre.
The match was a frantic affair, marked by several controversial interferences. A masked individual briefly attacked Austin Theory, but their identity remained unknown. Crucially, as the match reached its climax, Drew McIntyre interfered, striking Jacob Fatu with his WWE Championship belt. This decisive blow allowed Logan Paul to capitalize, rolling up Fatu for the controversial victory. Logan Paul now officially secured his spot in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, setting the stage for a potentially volatile encounter with the other participants, especially given McIntyre’s clear manipulation of the situation. This outcome directly implicated McIntyre further in the Jey Uso attack storyline.
Undercard Action and Developing Storylines
Beyond the major title change and Chamber qualification, several other matches and backstage segments contributed to a packed episode of WWE SmackDown Results.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Kairi Sane: Tiffany Stratton picked up a significant win against Kairi Sane. Sane surprisingly stepped in for Asuka, who opted out due to her upcoming Elimination Chamber match. Stratton capitalized on distractions at ringside, including Sane accidentally taking out Chelsea Green, to secure the victory with her “Prettiest Moonsault Ever.” This win intensifies Stratton’s rivalry with The Kabuki Warriors.
Oba Femi vs. The Miz: Oba Femi made quick work of former WWE Champion The Miz. Miz attempted to talk his way out of the match, offering to “mentor” Femi, even comparing himself to The Undertaker. Femi, however, rebuffed his offer with a “dead man” joke and swiftly defeated him with a powerful “Fall From Grace” in a decisive squash match.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Matt Cardona: Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his WWE United States Championship in an open challenge. After Ilja Dragunov initially declined, citing a lack of recent success, Matt Cardona answered the call. Despite Cardona dominating much of the 12-minute contest, Hayes secured a clean three-count with his “First 48,” showing sportsmanship by helping Cardona up afterward.
Jordynne Grace vs. Candice LeRae: Jordynne Grace quickly defeated Candice LeRae. LeRae was visibly distracted by her husband, Johnny Gargano, who appeared dejected and walked away from ringside during the match, allowing Grace to secure the win with a pump-handle suplex.
Backstage, Paul Heyman continued his strategic maneuvers, approaching Nick Aldis to push for Logan Paul’s Chamber inclusion, cleverly playing on the mystery surrounding Jey’s attack. Aldis, wary of Heyman’s intentions, still set the qualifying match. Sami Zayn confronted Jacob Fatu, questioning his possible involvement in Jey’s attack, leading to a heated exchange before Zayn offered an apology and encouragement. These numerous interactions highlight the complex web of alliances and rivalries building towards Elimination Chamber and beyond to WrestleMania.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main implications of Jey Uso’s attack on WWE SmackDown?
Jey Uso’s backstage attack immediately threw the Men’s Elimination Chamber match into disarray, creating a vacant spot. This incident became the central mystery of the episode, prompting General Manager Nick Aldis to scramble for a replacement. It directly led to the main event qualifying match between Logan Paul and Jacob Fatu, with the added layer of suspicion around Drew McIntyre’s potential involvement and his subtle manipulations throughout the night.
Which championships changed hands during this special episode of WWE SmackDown?
The most significant championship change on this episode of WWE SmackDown was the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY (RHIYO) lost their titles to the formidable duo of Nia Jax and Lash Legend (The Irresistible Forces). Lash Legend secured the pinfall over Rhea Ripley, marking a major upset and shifting the dynamic of the women’s tag division just before the Elimination Chamber premium live event.
How did Drew McIntyre influence the Elimination Chamber qualifying match?
Drew McIntyre played a pivotal and controversial role in the Elimination Chamber qualifying match between Logan Paul and Jacob Fatu. During the main event, McIntyre directly interfered by striking Jacob Fatu with his WWE Championship belt. This crucial interference allowed Logan Paul to capitalize and pin Fatu, thus securing his place in the Men’s Elimination Chamber. McIntyre’s actions further fueled suspicions of his involvement in Jey Uso’s attack and cemented his heel persona heading into the Chamber.
Conclusion
This edition of WWE SmackDown was far more than just a go-home show for Elimination Chamber; it was a seismic event that reshaped multiple narratives. From the shocking Women’s Tag Team Championship change to Logan Paul’s controversial qualification for the Chamber, every segment propelled the storylines forward with urgency and impact. The mysterious attack on Jey Uso, the escalating tensions among the men’s contenders, and the ongoing Wyatt Sicks/MFT rivalry all promise an unforgettable Elimination Chamber. Fans are now on the edge of their seats, ready to witness the fallout and the crowning of new contenders on the path to WrestleMania. Don’t miss the premium live event to see how these explosive storylines unfold!
