WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - February 20th, 2026
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Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams in a Elimination Chamber Qualifier on Syfy
An Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat Match pits Carmelo Hayes against his former friend-turned-rival Trick Williams and former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest. The reigning United States Champion, Hayes enters with a bevy of momentum, while the newcomer Williams aims to make a name for himself and Priest attempts to jump back into the World Championship scene.
:smackdown:
Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky, Giulia & Kiana James, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax & Lash Legend, R-Truth & Damian Priest, Carmelo Hayes, and Trick Williams are all shown arriving to SmackDown.
Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore greet audiences at home before throwing it to a video of Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, and Sami Zayn's Triple Threat Elimination Chamber Qualifier last Tuesday.
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
Rhodes asks Fort Lauderdale what they want to talk about but before he can continue, Jacob Fatu's music hits and Fatu makes his way out. He tells Rhodes that he wouldn't be in the ring talking about Elimination Chamber if it wasn't for Drew McIntyre last Friday. He says he had Rhodes and Sami Zayn beat last week and was walking out with the win, then says both himself and Rhodes know it. He says his concern isn't about Rhodes, but rather McIntyre himself and demands that McIntyre come to the ring.
Nick Aldis makes his way out and informs Fatu that he told McIntyre stay at home, then asks Fatu to give Rhodes his time to talk as they have a conversation in his office.
McIntyre appears in a box in the crowd and says while he appreciates Aldis giving him the night off, he's the Undisputed WWE Champion and says he loves SmackDown so much that he bought an entire box to watch the show He says Fatu is all bark and no bite, then asks Fatu what he's going to do.
Security tries stopping Fatu when he exits the ring, but Fatu begins knocking security guards over. Aldis gets in Fatu's face and tries talking him down, then tells security to escort McIntyre out of the Amerant Bank Arena.
As Fatu is escorted away, McIntyre says everyone wants to beat him because he's the champion. Rhodes amends McIntyre's statement and says the world is after him because he's an asshole!
Carmelo Hayes warms up backstage. Ilja Dragunov tells Hayes that he'll win the qualifier match and then go straight to WrestleMania. Hayes says he doesn't need Dragunov to tell him how to be HIM and that Dragunov should focus on his match. Dragunov says he's still coming for the United States Championship.
Jacob Fatu and Nick Aldis talk backstage. Aldis tells Fatu to have patience and asks Fatu to wait a little longer and he'll get his hands on Drew McIntyre. Fatu says he won't be waiting much longer.
Ilja Dragunov makes his way to the ring. MFT follows.
Ilja Dragunov vs Tama Tonga (w/MFT)
The bell rings and Dragunov fires off chops on Tama in the corner. Tama responds by raining down right hands on Dragunov, and the pair exchange right hands with one another before Dragunov fires off chops on Tama's chest in the corner and lands a German suplex on him.
During the commercial break, the action spills out of the ring and Tama continues wearing down Dragunov. Tama sends Dragunov crashing into the corner, but Dragunov ascends to the top rope. Tama pulls Dragunov off and connects with a reverse DDT on him, then goes for a pin but Dragunov kicks out.
Tama and Dragunov level one another with clotheslines back from the break, but Dragunov delivers a pair of German suplexes to Tama and follows it up with a Constantine Special. He ascends to the top rope and looks to fly, but Tama moves out of the way and spikes Dragunov with a flatliner.
Dragunov sends Tama crashing into the mat and fires off headbutts on him, then ascends to the top rope and delivers a senton to Tama. JC Mateo hops up on the apron, but Dragunov levels him with a clothesline. Tama then looks to roll up Dragunov, but Dragunov kicks out and levels Tonga Loa when he hops up on the apron. This opens the door for Tama to connect with Cutthroat on Dragunov for the win.
Winner: Tama Tonga
After the match, Solo Sikoa gets in the ring and asks if everyone thought he was playing and starts talking about what he and MFTs are going to do. Dragunov attacks Sikoa and he gets beaten down. Matt Cardona comes out to save Dragunov and he gets beaten up. Apollo Crews comes out and he gets beaten up. The lights then go out and Uncle Howdy shows up on the screen. Howdy has the rest of The Wyatt Sicks behind him. Howdy tells Sikoa he needs to learn to stand on his own. The next time Howdy will be in the ring, he'll be alone and asks if Sikoa will as well.
Drew McIntyre talks on the phone backstage. Nick Aldis comes up to him and yells at him for being at the venue. Aldis tells McIntyre to keep testing him and he'll show McIntyre what he's capable of. McIntyre tells him to relax and says he'll leave.
Byron Saxton talks to Randy Orton backstage. Orton talks about the Elimination Chamber and facing Cody Rhodes in the Chamber. Zelina comes up to Orton and tells him there is only one road for Orton to go down. Aleister Black follows Zelina and Black brings up how Orton was feared and wants to know where that version of Orton is. Orton says they should have a match because the only version of him that's needed to beat up Black is the one that's in front of him.
Jade Cargill walks backstage and we will be hearing from her.
Byron Saxton talks to Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Jax says they don't have time for his interview. Jax says after she qualifies, Legend and her will go for the Tag Team Titles. Legend says they'll prove they run the women's division.
At ringside, Jade Cargill makes her way out to the ring. Cargill gets on the mic and says she is the champ and will defend her title when she wants. She calls out Liv Morgan and says she'll be at RAW for Morgan's decision. Cargill rattles off the names of the top women's stars and says regardless of who she'll face she'll leave WrestleMania the WWE Women's Champion because she's still that bitch.
Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ring, staring down Cargill on the entrance ramp. Kiana James, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend follow.
WWE Women's Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Kiana James vs. Nia Jax
The bell rings and Jax lands a Hip Attack on James in the corner. Flair sends her crashing into the ring post shoulder first before herself and James level Jax with a double suplex back from the break,
Flair then delivers a crossbody to take out Jax off the middle rope back from the break and ascends to the top rope. She lands a double moonsault on both Jax and James, but Flair delivers a Spanish Fly to James off the top rope and goes for a pin. James kicks out, but Jax connects with an An-Nia-Lator on James and goes for a pin. Flair breaks the fall.
Flair cinches in a Figure Eight Leg Lock on Jax, but James breaks the hold by pinning Flair for the win.
Winner: Kiana James
Byron Saxton talks to Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley about Kiana James winning tonight. Ripley says it sucks that Nia Jax didn't qualify so she can't beat her up. Sky says James' partner Giulia won't be that lucky because Ripley will beat her. They then talk about being the Tag Champs and say Lash Legend and Jax don't stand a chance.
Oba Femi warms up backstage before his match.
Kit Wilson makes his way to the ring. Oba Femi follows.
Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson
The bell rings, but Wilson grabs the microphone before the match and once again expresses his feelings that Femi is toxic. He reads another one of his poems called "An Ode to Oba Femi".
Deciding he's had enough, Femi pulls Wilson into the ring and connects with a pair of running uppercuts on him. Femi then sends Wilson crashing into the mat spine first and connects with Fall From Grace on him for the win.
Winner: Oba Femi
We then head backstage, where R-Truth catches Nick Aldis in front of the same crate that Adam Pearce promised to send over to SmackDown on Monday's episode of Raw. Aldis tells a crew member to send the crate back to Raw.
Tiffany Stratton makes her way to the ring. Alba Fyre and Chelsea Green follow.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre (w/ Chelsea Green)
The bell rings and Stratton trips Fyre. She delivers a senton to her from the apron and over the top rope, but Fyre spikes Stratton with a Tornado DDT.
During the commercial break, Fyre wears down Stratton with a submission hold. Stratton levels Fyre with a pair of clotheslines back from the break and follows it up with a handspring back elbow to her in the corner, but Fyre rolls up Stratton.
Stratton kicks out and Fyre lands an overhand chop on her in the corner, and the pair teeter on the ropes before Stratton sends Fyre crashing into the mat with a superplex. She connects with a Falcon Arrow to her and goes for a pin, but Fyre kicks out. Fyre then manages to land a Gory Bomb and goes for a pin, but Stratton kicks out.
Green gets in Fyre's face, opening the door for Fyre to take out Stratton with a tope suicida. She dumps her back in the ring and ascends to the top rope, but Stratton gets her knees up and connects with Prettiest Moonsault Ever on her for the win.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn talk backstage. Zayn is moping around and Rhodes tells him he has nothing to be ashamed of. Zayn says Rhodes should be ashamed of himself. Zayn says he tried to help Rhodes during the match and Rhodes pays him back by hitting his finisher on him and getting the win. Rhodes says Zayn has to learn to take advantage of opportunities. Rhodes says this is why Zayn isn't a champ. Zayn says Rhodes is where he is because he's the chosen one. Rhodes tells Zayn to not lecture him and tells Zayn the only thing in his way is him. Rhodes leaves and Trick Williams shows up and laughs at Zayn and tells Zayn he will do what Zayn can't, which is get the job done. Williams leaves and Zayn runs after Cody Rhodes and apologizes and tells Rhodes to remember he's had help along the way to get to where he is. Rhodes says he'll never forget and leaves.
Carmelo Hayes makes his way to the ring. Damian Priest and Trick Williams follow.
WWE Men's Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest
The bell rings and Williams and Priest exchange chops with one another. Hayes takes out Williams with a springboard lariat and sends Priest crashing into the mat with a tilt-a-whirl facebuster, but Priest sends Hayes crashing into the mat spine first.
During the commercial break, Hayes and Williams stare one another down. Hayes rolls up Williams, but Williams kicks out and rolls up Hayes. Hayes kicks out, but Priest sends him crashing into the apron face first and delivers an open palm strike to Williams. Hayes sends Priest crashing into the mat with a flatliner, then sends both Hayes and Williams crashing into the mat with a springboard DDT.
Hayes flies over the top rope to take down Priest back from the break, then lands a dropkick on Williams on the outside. He connects with a Frog Splash to Priest and goes for a pin, but Priest kicks out and Williams sends him crashing out of the ring and over the top rope.
Hayes sends Priest crashing into the announce desk, and Williams follows it up with a Flapjack to him. Williams and Hayes then teeter on the ropes, but Priest pulls off Williams with a Razor's Edge to him and goes for a pin, Williams kicks out, but Hayes catches Priest with Nothing But Net and pins him. Williams breaks the fall.
Hayes and Williams exchange right hands with one another, but Priest catches them both with kicks. Hayes and Williams then land a double kick on Priest and Williams helps Hayes fly off the ropes. Hayes then pins Priest, but Williams pulls him off and pins Priest himself.
Hayes delivers The First 48 to Williams, but Williams catches Priest with the Trick Shot and sends Hayes crashing off the ring apron in the process. He then lands another Trick Shot on Priest for the win.
Winner: Trick Williams
Angel & Berto, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley, Nathan Frazer & Axiom all stand around the crate discussing what it is. Candice LeRae complains to Nick Aldis and complains about how Johnny Gargano is laid out on the crate all depressed. Jordynne Grace comes by and needs to talk to Aldis. LeRae and Grace argue and Aldis suggests they battle it out next week. LeRae doesn't like this and tells Gargano to get off the crate and go home with her.
Jade Cargill is photoshooting backstage. She sees B-Fab and asks her if B-Fab wants to get her ass kicked again. B-Fab says she's third in line and Michin comes in with a Kendo stick and tells Cargill she's going to get her back for injuring B-Fab and Michin.
Giulia makes her way out to the ring. Rhea Ripley follows, taking IYO SKY's place in the upcoming match.
Rhea Ripley vs. Giulia
The bell rings and Ripley sets up for Rip Tide on Giulia. Giulia sends Ripley crashing into the ring post shoulder first, then delivers a dropkick to her on the outside.
During the commercial break, Ripley sends Giulia crashing into the barricade and wears her down with a submission hold back in the ring. Ripley and Giulia exchange right hands with one another back from the break, but Ripley runs over Giulia with a pair of clotheslines and ascends to the top rope.
Giulia follows Ripley up the ropes, but Ripley escapes and sends Giulia crashing into the mat with a standing facebuster. She goes for a pin, but Giulia kicks out and connects with the Arrivederci Knee on Ripley. She goes for a pin, but Ripley kicks out and rocks Giulia with a headbutt. She then sets up for Rip Tide on Giulia
Nia Jax tries getting in the ring, but the referee stops her. Lash Legend sneaks up behind Ripley and takes her out, causing the disqualification.
Winner by Disqualification: Rhea Ripley
After the match, Jax and Legend continue attacking Ripley until IYO SKY runs down to the ring to come to her partner's aid. Ripley clotheslines Legend out of the ring and stands tall.
The Miz stops Oba Femi backstage. The Miz says he's been watching Femi and it's his responsibility to make sure the new talent is successful. The Miz tells Femi he'll show him the ropes and Femi says he'll go talk to Aldis and get that official. The Miz seems happy at first and as Femi leaves The Miz realizes Femi is going to Aldis for a match.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss talk backstage. Flair tells Bliss that she knows Bliss is upset that Flair didn't qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Kiana James and Giulia come by and James tells Bliss that she should be worried that Flair isn't there to help her in the Chamber. James and Giulia try to get in Flair and Bliss' heads.
MFT is backstage. Solo Sikoa tells Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga and JC Mateo they should book it. The three leave and Sikoa tells Tama Tonga that he's proud of his win tonight but that Tonga should be focused on the lantern they stole from The Wyatt Sicks. Sikoa leaves and Shinsuke Nakamura comes in and asks Tonga why he's Sikoa's lackey and that Tonga should leave the family tree in the forest.
Aleister Black and Zelina then make their way to the ring. Randy Orton follows.
Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black (w/ Zelina Vega)
The bell rings and the two lock up. Orton rains down right hands on Black, but Black fires off right hands on Orton on the outside. Orton responds by sending Black crashing into the announce desk twice spine first during the commercial break, then dumps Black back into the ring and pins him. Black kicks out.
Back from the break, Black dumps Orton back out of the ring and delivers a kick to his chest off the apron. He sends Black crashing into the ring post and dumps him back inside the ring before Black catches Orton with a jumping knee to his face and runs him over with a clothesline.
Orton sends Black crashing onto the ring apron with an uppercut, then follows it up with a back suplex to him and connects with a hanging DDT to him. Orton sends Black crashing into the announce desk once again back on the outside and connects with another hanging DDT off the announce desk. He dumps Black back into the ring, but Drew McIntyre appears out of nowhere and hits Orton with his Undisputed WWE Championship as the referee checks on Black. Cody Rhodes chases McIntyre away from ringside, opening the door for Black to land Black Mass on Orton for the win.
Winner: Aleister Black
After the match, Rhodes checks on Orton as McIntyre stands in the crowds and kisses his championship belt. Zelina and Black celebrate as they leave the ring and we fade to black.
