These WWE SmackDown results leave just one further episode before Elimination Chamber. The qualifiers continued, and championship storylines unfolded. There was also a mushy middle worth skipping.
Cody Rhodes didn’t get too far with his in-ring promo before being interrupted by Jacob Fatu. Surprisingly, he called out Drew McIntyre instead of attacking Rhodes. McIntyre made an appearance from a skybox. General manager Nick Aldis kept the peace, for now.
Tama Tonga versus Ilja Dragunov was the first match of the evening. Fans can always expect Dragunov to bring the intensity, and he wasted no time in this one. The chops and slams echoed in the arena. As expected, the MFTs caused the distraction to help their faction mate win.
Things broke down post-match. Matt Cardona and Apollo Crews came to help, but they were still outnumbered. The lights then blacked out unexpectedly. The Wyatt Sicks appeared on the big screen to cut a promo, ending the segment.
Women’s WWE Champion Jade Cargill cut a promo, short, but not so sweet. It was a generic threat to the division without any substance. Her title run has been underwhelming, with few title defenses.
Charlotte Flair, Kiana James, and Nia Jax battled it out for a spot in the Elimination Chamber. The match lacked flow or intensity, as if they were walking through the steps. Flair and James pulled off the most awkward top-rope Spanish fly in the history of television.
Flair and Jax followed it up with the softest top-rope powerbomb fans will ever see. James slipped in while the figure eight submission was locked in, taking advantage of the situation to advance to the Elimination Chamber.
Kit Wilson was on a mission to detoxify Oba Femi, and before their match, he read a poem to him. The result was a squash match.
Tiffany Stratton versus Alba Fyre was next. Perhaps not a squash match, but equally uneventful and uninteresting.
WWE United States Champion Carmello Hayes, Damian Priest, and Trick Williams battled it out for a spot in the Elimination Chamber. This was a pleasant change of pace from the previous two matches. The match features stiff striking and power slams, combined with smooth reversals and false finishes. SmackDown decided to shine another up-and-comer in the chamber by giving Williams the pin.
WWE Women’s United States Champion Giulia faced one-half of the WWE Women’s World Tag Team Champions, Rhea Ripley, next. The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend) ruined the match by attacking both participants. This was short-lived with the emergence of Iyo Sky.
Randy Orton versus Allister Black followed. The match led to a point in which McIntyre struck Orton with his championship belt when the referee wasn’t looking. Rhodes came to his aid, but it was too late. One Black Mask later, Black was the winner.
These SmackDown results may have the WWE Universe pondering the move to a three-hour show. That’s not to say it lacked any substance. James advances in the women’s Elimination Chamber, joining Stratton, Ripley, and Alexa Bliss. Williams joins Orton, LA Knight, Rhodes, and Je’Von Evans. There is but one spot left for both fields, as the event is but days away.
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