Trick Williams, Kiana James win Elimination Chamber qualifiers on WWE SmackDown

Surprise wins for rising stars highlight action-packed episode in Fort Lauderdale

Feb. 21, 2026 at 4:48am

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WWE SmackDown delivered an eventful episode from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, featuring two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. In the women's triple threat, Kiana James scored an upset victory over former champions Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax to earn a spot in the upcoming Elimination Chamber match. In the men's triple threat, Trick Williams defeated Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest to punch his ticket to the Chamber. The show also saw the return of Oba Femi, who continued his feud with The Miz, as well as continued tension between top stars like Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn.

Why it matters

The surprise wins for up-and-coming stars James and Williams inject some fresh faces into the title picture, shaking up the status quo ahead of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. James' victory over established veterans like Flair and Jax is particularly noteworthy, as it signals WWE's willingness to push new talent. Meanwhile, the continued storylines between McIntyre, Rhodes, and Zayn suggest changes are coming to the top of the card in the lead-up to WrestleMania.

The details

In the women's Elimination Chamber qualifier, Kiana James scored a shocking upset victory over Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax. James was able to capitalize on the battle between the two veterans, sneaking in to pin Flair after she had locked in the Figure Eight submission on Jax. The win was a major breakthrough for the rising star, who has been building momentum in recent weeks. In the men's qualifier, Trick Williams emerged victorious in a triple threat match against Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest. Williams hit his signature Trick Shot finisher on Priest to earn the win and secure his spot in the Elimination Chamber match. The victory continues the push for Williams, who has become a fan favorite with his charismatic heel persona.

  • The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
  • The qualifying matches took place on the February 20, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The players

Kiana James

A rising star in WWE who scored a major upset victory over former champions Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match.

Trick Williams

A charismatic heel who defeated Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest in a triple threat match to earn a spot in the Elimination Chamber.

Charlotte Flair

A former multi-time women's champion who was pinned by the upstart Kiana James in the Elimination Chamber qualifier.

Nia Jax

The former women's champion who was also involved in the triple threat match won by Kiana James.

Drew McIntyre

The current WWE Champion whose reign is facing uncertainty, with Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn both vying for a title shot.

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What they’re saying

“Kiana James' win over Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax was one of the most pleasant surprises I've seen in a long time. This is exactly the kind of fresh face push that WWE needs to keep the product feeling exciting and unpredictable.”

— Drake Riggs, WWE Analyst

“Trick Williams is the future of this company. The fans are clearly behind him, and he's proven he can deliver in big moments like this Elimination Chamber qualifier. Give this man a rocket push, he's ready for it.”

— Drake Riggs, WWE Analyst

What’s next

The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on March 5, 2026 will feature the winners of these qualifying matches, with Kiana James and Trick Williams looking to make the most of their opportunities on the big stage.

The takeaway

WWE's willingness to push new stars like Kiana James and Trick Williams, even over established veterans, signals a shift towards a more unpredictable and exciting product. As the road to WrestleMania heats up, these surprise qualifiers have added an extra layer of intrigue to the title picture.