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WWE SmackDown Highlights: Title Matches & Elimination Chamber Qualifiers
Friday's SmackDown showcased a clear emphasis on both current championship storylines and building anticipation for the upcoming Elimination Chamber event.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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WWE SmackDown featured successful title defenses by Jade Cargill (WWE Women's Championship) and RHIYO (WWE Women's Tag Team Titles), as well as Elimination Chamber qualifying matches for Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, Alexa Bliss, Giulia, and Zelina Vega. The show signaled a potential shift in WWE's storytelling approach, balancing the importance of current champions with building excitement for the upcoming pay-per-view.
Why it matters
The focus on championship matches alongside the Elimination Chamber qualifiers creates a dual narrative - maintaining the significance of current champions while simultaneously building towards a major event. This strategy allows WWE to cater to both fans invested in ongoing storylines and those eager for new rivalries and potential upsets.
The details
The successful title defenses of Jade Cargill and RHIYO demonstrate a commitment to solidifying these champions' positions, a tactic often employed by WWE to elevate talent. The no-contest finish in the tag team match involving RHIYO, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend introduces an element of unpredictability, suggesting a longer-term storyline is being developed. The Elimination Chamber qualifying matches - featuring Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, Alexa Bliss, Giulia, and Zelina Vega - are crucial for building excitement for the February 28th pay-per-view. Cody Rhodes' qualification, despite interference from Drew McIntyre, reinforces his trajectory towards another championship opportunity, while Alexa Bliss's participation signals a potential resurgence for the former champion.
- The Elimination Chamber event will be held on February 28, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
- Jade Cargill and RHIYO successfully defended their championships on the February 13th episode of SmackDown.
The players
Jade Cargill
The current WWE Women's Champion.
RHIYO
The current WWE Women's Tag Team Champion.
Cody Rhodes
A wrestler who qualified for the Elimination Chamber match.
Drew McIntyre
A wrestler who interfered in Cody Rhodes' Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Alexa Bliss
A wrestler who qualified for the Elimination Chamber match.
What’s next
Fans should keep an eye on Drew McIntyre's actions leading up to the Elimination Chamber event, as his interference in Cody Rhodes' qualifying match suggests he's willing to employ any tactic to maintain control and influence the championship landscape.
The takeaway
WWE's storytelling approach on SmackDown signals a potential shift, balancing the importance of current champions with building excitement for the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. This dual narrative caters to both fans invested in ongoing storylines and those eager for new rivalries and potential upsets.
