«WWE SmackDown» rolled into Dallas’ American Airlines Arena this Friday night with big matches on tap. February’s upcoming Elimination Chamber premium live event had two more names added to its titular matches, while multiple WWE champions successfully defended their gold.
The «Codelander» effect
WWE is doing its best to replicate any semblance of magic that was Cody Rhodes defying the odds to win the title at WrestleMania. But this ongoing feud with Drew McIntyre just isn’t hitting anywhere near the same as Rhodes’ boiled-blood feud with Roman Reigns.
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Despite his lack of placement on most «SmackDowns» since he became the Undisputed WWE Champion, McIntyre has continuously forced himself into matches among contenders. Tonight, his plan to secure a win for Sami Zayn against Rhodes and Jacob Fatu backfired, resulting in Rhodes’ claiming a spot in the Elimination Chamber for Feb. 28.
Spoiler alert, folks: Tonight’s finish couldn’t have made it any clearer that Rhodes is going to win the damn thing.
The match was pretty good until the end. It just became a bit too overly chaotic, and was ultimately ended by an interference from the champion, which kind of makes it worse.
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McIntyre’s motive was to — in his mind — get the easiest challenger the win. That’s obvious. But that’s an even better story than Rhodes «overcoming» this failed setup. Why not let Zayn enter the Chamber and play into this doubt of McIntyre viewing him as easy pickings, having never beating him.? Then, if we must, crown Zayn at ‘Mania. How is that not your 2026 version of a Kofi Kingston moment?
Well, at least the closest thing to it.
(Yes, I know it wouldn’t be that close.)
Bliss-mas came late
Does Alexa Bliss have a real shot at challenging for a world title again? Highly unlikely. But she did secure her spot in the women’s Elimination Chamber match by pinning Zelina in their qualifier match alongside Giulia.
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It seems we could be headed toward a Bliss vs. Charlotte Flair match at WrestleMania. The duo is still fresh, but subtle seeds are being planted that could very well sprout in the Chamber match when Flair inevitably earns her spot next week.
Decisions on date night?
Liv Morgan made a surprise appearance ringside during Jade Cargill’s defense of the Women’s Championship against Jordynne Grace. It’s difficult to tell how long WWE is going to drag out the Royal Rumble winner’s decision, but why not get creative and make her wait all the way until WrestleMania?
OK. I’m trying not to laugh at that «get creative» part. I’m just spit-balling here. What’s up, Road Dogg?!
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Cargill won the match after getting her arm worked over for the majority of it. Grace looked strong throughout, and the tempo set up somewhat of a comeback for Cargill. It feels a bit shortsighted to have thrust Grace into this spot so quickly without her winning, but perhaps this can lead to something bigger. However, having her find her way into the Chamber would also seem odd.
She’s in a weird spot right now, though at least in a good way.
🥱 Bankruptcy of the Night
Circling back to the topic of creativity, you’re never going to believe what happened on this «SmackDown.» Oh? Did you guess that Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton interacted for the 589,732nd time? What a world.
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No matter how brief it was — to start the damn show — it was still too much time. I legitimately never want to see Stratton and Jax in the same room again for the rest of my life.
To make matters worse, Jax and Lash Legend’s title match against the Women’s Tag Team Champions RHIYO ended in a no-contest for legitimately no reason. It was a borderline slog of a match outside of some cool, different offensive moves displayed by Rhea Ripley. Then, all the sudden, the referee had seen enough of the wrestlers using the announce table as a weapon and just waved off the match without even counting anyone out.
I know I gave Maxxine Dupri and Nattie’s «match» a 0/5 crown score on Monday, but this one was worse overall, despite its 1-star rating.
👑 Uncrowned Gem of the Night 👑
Oba Femi is «officially» a part of «SmackDown.» He’s been consistently portrayed as the massive threat he is, primarily through vignettes. But it’s been quality nonetheless.
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That being said, even if this is the Uncrowned Gem of the Night, I do have a complaint here. Let’s start actually doing something with the man — other than setting up a second Kit Wilson squash.
Listen, Wilson is excellent in his current role, and a rightful gem of his own here — we saw why with his earlier segment. (He had two tonight!) That doesn’t mean he should be anywhere near Femi, who needs to stay as red-hot as he was in the Royal Rumble. Ideally, that dude makes his way into the Elimination Chamber match somehow, or destroys Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. I guess both could happen, though that would mean he loses in the Chamber, which most definitely should not happen.
I give this show a crown score of: 👑 6.5/10 👑
WWE SmackDown full card results:
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Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Cody Rhodes def. Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn — 👑 Crown score: 3.75/5 👑
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Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c.) def. Jordynne Grace — 👑 Crown score: 3/5 👑
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Trick Williams def. Rey Fenix — 👑 Crown score: 3/5 👑
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Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss def. Giulia, Zelina — 👑 Crown score: 2.75/5 👑
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MFT (Solo Sikoa, Tonga Loa, Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga and JC Mateo) def. Shinsuke Nakamura, Apollo Crews, Matt Cardona, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov — 👑 Crown score: 2.5/5 👑
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Women’s Tag Team Championship: RHIYO (Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky) (c.) vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend ends via no-contest — 👑 Crown score: 1/5 👑
Recap «WWE SmackDown» with Uncrowned’s live blog:
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Drake Riggs
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Drake Riggs
McIntyre goes back to assaulting Rhodes in the corner, leading to a Zayn Helluva Kick on McIntyre, followed by the Rhodes Cross Rhodes on Zayn for the win.
The energy was great around the crescendo to that match, but this just reeks of another Rhodes versus McIntyre match at WrestleMania. I couldn’t care less about that, or keeping Rhodes in these spots like the Elimination Chamber match.
👑 Crown score: 3.75/5 👑
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Drake Riggs
The fans are chanting for Fatu, as he remains on the outside. Rhodes and Zayn get back to trading chops and punches. A Bionic Elbow puts Zayn on the mat, and Fatu attacks from behind. Zayn now finds himself the target, taking a beating in the corner. He follows Fatu to the other side, missing a Heluva Kick! Fatu misses his Splash on the Zayn Small Package counter. Fatu kicks out! Rhodes returns for the big Cody Cutter off the top rope to Zayn! Fatu lands the Mighty Moonsault on Zayn after sending out Rhodes! McIntyre Claymore Kicks Fatu to break up the pin. I think we saw that coming. An interference at least. Now it’s chaos ringside, with Zayn lying in the ring.
McIntyre Powerbombs Fatu through the table and Claymores Rhodes! He drags Zayn onto Rhodes. Rhodes still manages to kick out.
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Drake Riggs
With Fatu up on the top rope, Rhodes and Zayn do their best to get him out of there. Incoming! The double superplex sends Fatu packing — at least for now.
Rhodes and Zayn go at it on their knees, trading punches. Rhodes ends up running into a corner exploder, looking for the Helluva Kick. Fatu stops it with a Super Kick. Rhodes eats one of his own. With Fatu out, Zayn rolls up Rhodes. He kicks out. Zayn counters a Cody Cutter with a Blue Thunder Bomb! Rhodes kicks out!
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Drake Riggs
Zayn attempts to rally and gets dealt a nasty Pop-Up Samoan Drop. Rhodes breaks up the pin. Tossed out of the ring, Rhodes eats a Suicide Dive from Fatu. Zayn sneaks behind him to land some strikes and slam Fatu’s dome into the announce table. He delivers a receipt in the same fashion, but to the steel steps. Table time! Fatu pulls the wood out from under the ring — Rhodes copies.
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Drake Riggs
Rhodes attempts his first Cross Rhodes on Zayn, but gets knee’d in the forehead. Fatu smashes both into the corner to get back in control of the match. A running handspring Moonsault lands on Zayn from Fatu. The small package attempt to Rhodes fails from Zayn. Fatu hits a Senton onto both.
The Samoan is back, standing tall, holding each opponent in opposite corners.
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Drake Riggs
Fatu must have been really hurt from that Zayn dive, because he’s yet to get back in the ring, allowing both to go at it. Ultimately, Rhodes gets the better of the exchange with a suplex before Fatu does return into the mix, pinning Rhodes in the corner. Fatu is now firmly in control. Rhodes attempts to rally and fight back, and succeeds by moving out of the way of a corner splash. A pair of scoop slams land on each opponent for Rhodes. Zayn gets met with a Disaster Kick and kicks out at 2.
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Drake Riggs
Fatu knocks Zayn out of the ring with a super kick to invite the Rhodes brawl. An early Cody Cutter gets reversed, and Fatu lands a low super kick. Rhodes still manages to toss him out of the ring, as Zayn awaits him from behind. He clotheslines Rhodes out of the ring and dives onto both men.
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Drake Riggs
Before the match, Drew McIntyre cut a fairly «meh» promo on the men in this match. Zayn interrupted him, and he refrained from slander, stating he actually hopes Zayn wins. This appeared to be clear mind games, as Zayn played into them throughout his entrance.
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Drake Riggs
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Drake Riggs
Johnny Gargano admitted to having «nothing left,» including his tag partner, Tomasso Ciampa, who is in AEW now. This was all in front of his wife Candace Lerae. She pointed out the disrespect of that, and Gargano laid down on a cart as she wheeled him out of the room.
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Drake Riggs
The spinning back elbow lands for Grace, and she sets up a burning hammer. Cargill flips out of it to take a boot and single-arm Jaded for the win.
That match’s pace was very stop-start, and it was clear what WWE was going for. Overall, a nice in for Cargill that doesn’t diminish Grace. After the match, there was no decision from Morgan
👑 Crown score: 3/5 👑
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Drake Riggs
Grace has continued to target Cargill’s arm as the match goes on. They jockey for carry moves, but Grace finds a spinebuster. A powerbomb attempt from Grace gets countered by a Cargill spinebuster. Consider that a spinebuster-off.
Cargill misses a big bicycle boot, and Grace rolls her up. No good on the pin. Grace lifts Cargill for a powerslam. The champ kicks out.
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Drake Riggs
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Drake Riggs
It still drives me crazy that Rodriguez is just tagging along with all of this — as WWE’s booking immediately derails the title match with the crowd chanting «Dirty Dom.»
Cargill lands a nice suplex and runs into a boot. Grace gets caught in the corner, transitioning it into a rear-naked choke. Cargill stays caught in the hold to the point she has to get down and roll out of the ring — with Grace on her back. Cargill slams her opponent into the ring post before missing with a forearm, hitting the post. Grace targets the limb with an arm drop. Off a piledriver-like attempt, Grace gets launched over the barricade onto her back. That was a good-looking spot. To celebrate, Cargill went and grabbed a chicken nugget from Morgan and Mysterio’s ringside Valentine’s date.
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Drake Riggs
What do you know? The teases start before the match. Liv Morgan, alongside Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez, makes a quick entrance to watch ringside.
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Drake Riggs
Then there was one. Win or lose, Jordynne Grace is in a great spot here — unless she gets completely squashed. Expect some kind of post-match happenings after this one.
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Drake Riggs
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Drake Riggs
Outside the ring, Williams takes a diving crossbody off the top rope. The man is hitting every move in his high-flying arsenal. Williams rallies and finds Fenix in the corner to try and get him on his shoulders. Instead, Fenix jumps atop the rope to double stomp Williams’ neck. That was a wild spot. Williams kicks out, avoids the moonsault, and finds the Trick Shot for the win. Somewhat of an out-of-nowhere comeback win for Williams. It made him look as dangerous as ever with that single move. But sheesh. Fenix is nothing more than a fancy jobber at this stage.
👑 Crown score: 3/5 👑
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Drake Riggs
Williams applies a chin hold that Fenix rallies out of. A chop chain lands for Fenix before a clothesline attempt. Williams launches Fenix, planting him face down. A Trick Slap lands, only for Fenix to do his patented rope slingshot kick. Fenix finds the spinning animal kick and adios amigos, followed by a pin. Williams kicks out and Fenix goes to the top rope. He’s rolling now. A huge crossbody and frog splash fail to put away
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