Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu battle in Elimination Chamber qualifier on WWE SmackDown

Sami Zayn also competes in the triple threat match with a title shot at WrestleMania on the line

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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On the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, three top superstars - Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn - battled in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. The winner will earn a spot in the Elimination Chamber match, with the undisputed WWE Championship on the line at WrestleMania 42. In addition, the SmackDown card featured a women's title match between champion Jade Cargill and challenger Jordynne Grace, as well as a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship defense by RHIYO (Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky) against Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

Why it matters

With the Royal Rumble in the rearview mirror, this Elimination Chamber qualifying match represents the last chance for several top superstars to earn a shot at the undisputed WWE Championship at the company's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania. The outcome of this match will have major implications for the WrestleMania main event picture.

The details

In the Elimination Chamber qualifying match, Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn battled it out in a high-stakes triple threat contest. All three men had their sights set on earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber match, where the winner would receive an undisputed WWE title shot at WrestleMania 42. The match featured intense action and several near-falls, as each competitor tried to gain the upper hand and secure the victory.

  • The Elimination Chamber qualifying match took place on the February 14, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown.

The players

Cody Rhodes

A former AEW star who has made a successful return to WWE, and is considered one of the top contenders for the undisputed WWE Championship.

Jacob Fatu

A rising star in WWE, known for his impressive power and technical abilities in the ring.

Sami Zayn

A veteran WWE superstar who has been involved in a high-profile storyline with the Bloodline faction, and is also vying for a shot at the undisputed WWE title.

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What they’re saying

“This is the biggest match of my career so far. I'm going to leave it all in the ring and do whatever it takes to punch my ticket to the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.”

— Cody Rhodes (WWE.com)

“I've been waiting for this opportunity my whole life. I'm going to show the world why I'm the future of WWE and take down these other two guys to earn my spot at WrestleMania.”

— Jacob Fatu (WWE.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Elimination Chamber qualifying match will go on to compete in the Elimination Chamber match at a future WWE pay-per-view event, with the undisputed WWE Championship on the line. The victor of the Elimination Chamber match will then advance to WrestleMania 42 to challenge for the undisputed WWE title.

The takeaway

This high-stakes Elimination Chamber qualifying match on SmackDown showcases the intense competition among WWE's top superstars to earn a coveted title shot at WrestleMania. The outcome will have major implications for the main event picture at the company's biggest annual event.