On February 13, 2026, WWE SmackDown held a pivotal event at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, setting the stage for the upcoming Elimination Chamber. With commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett guiding the action, the night featured intense matches and heated confrontations as wrestlers fought for Elimination Chamber qualifications and momentum towards Wrestlemania. The atmosphere was charged with uncertainty about who would secure their spots for the event scheduled in Chicago later this month.
Women’s Tag Team Turmoil Escalates
The evening opened with Tiffany Stratton, fresh off an impressive rookie year, showing determination to reclaim the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Her focus was immediately challenged by Nia Jax and Lash Legend, who interrupted the momentum with clear plans to dominate the tag team division and secure Jax’s spot in the Elimination Chamber. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky swiftly intervened, asserting their intent to defend their titles and promising a showdown between themselves at Wrestlemania.
The confrontation led to a fiercely contested Women’s Tag Team Title match between Ripley and Sky versus Jax and Legend. Early dominance by Jax gave way to powerful offensive maneuvers from Ripley and Sky, including impressive dropkicks, moonsaults, and powerbombs. The intensity escalated when Legend drove Sky into the announce table, forcing the referee to end the match via disqualification after nearly nine minutes. The post-match brawl grew chaotic, culminating with Lash Legend spearing Ripley through the barricade after Sky sent Jax through a table, leaving the audience in awe of the escalating rivalry.
Cody Rhodes Sets the Stakes for Wrestlemania
Cody Rhodes reflected on his career and recent setbacks, emphasizing his readiness to fight for another Wrestlemania main event spot with just two victories away from that goal. On the sidelines, Carmelo Hayes crossed paths with Apollo Crews and Matt Cardona, each vying for inclusion in the U.S. Title Open Challenge. Hayes later clashed verbally with The Miz, who criticized Hayes for testing his core values: master, inspire, and zone in. The banter set the tone for Hayes’s upcoming defense against Ilja Dragunov.
Chaotic Ten-Man Tag Battle Erupts Over U.S. Title
Hayes defended his U.S. Title against Ilja Dragunov in a match disrupted by Solo Sikoa and the Motor City Machine Guns (MFTs). Sikoa demanded a title shot, but tensions flared over MFTs’ prior actions. Hayes proposed a tag team match to settle matters, drawing both sides into a brutal and fast-paced ten-man tag team contest. Key moments included high-impact maneuvers like Torpedo Moscow and the H Bomb. Ultimately, Tama Tonga pinned Hayes after executing the Cutthroat finisher, marking a significant setback for Hayes while reinforcing Tama’s rising profile in WWE.
Women’s Chamber Qualifier Delivers Unexpected Results
Alexa Bliss, Zelina Vega, and Giulia clashed in a non-title, three-way Elimination Chamber qualifying match filled with quick near-falls and high-risk moves such as butterfly superplexes. Despite Zelina’s efforts to make an impact, Bliss regained control with a decisive Sister Abigail DDT on Zelina, securing her qualification spot. The match was noted for its energetic pace and clean execution, with Bliss seemingly more serious and focused than usual.
Strained Alliances and Personal Grudges Take Center Stage
Tiffany Stratton encountered Jordynne Grace backstage, where both expressed mutual interest in a Wrestlemania showdown. The tension heightened as Chelsea Green, recovering from a foot injury and confined to a wheelchair, confronted Stratton demanding an apology for her injury, which Stratton provocatively ignored. Meanwhile, Rey Fenix prepared for his match after receiving encouragement from Sami Zayn to teach Trick Williams a lesson following Williams’ confident assertion that he’d qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
Trick Williams Upsets Rey Fenix in Hard-Fought Battle
In their scheduled match, Williams started aggressively, mocking Zayn before engaging Fenix with a mix of power moves and strikes. Fenix showcased his signature high-flying skills, landing a dramatic frog splash and a double stomp, but Williams countered with a well-timed Trick Shot that earned him the pinfall victory. Williams’ growing success on the main roster was evident, and his momentum positioned him as a promising future star.
Women’s Championship Clash Interrupted by Judgment Day
Jordynne Grace challenged Jade Cargill for the Women’s Championship in a physical bout interrupted by Judgment Day members, who set up a Valentine’s Day-themed presence at ringside. Despite struggles and brutal exchanges including spinebusters and power slams, Cargill retained her title with a winning one-armed version of the “Jaded” move after a relentless back-and-forth battle. Post-match tension rose as Cargill confronted Liv Morgan, heightening the stakes between these women.
Emotional Moments and Backstage Conflicts
Johnny Gargano expressed his frustration to Candice LeRae, revealing feelings of being beaten down and hopeless. LeRae reassured him she would help, even as backstage factions such as the Motor City Machine Guns and MFTs exchanged tense glances. Solo Sikoa’s locker room was marked defaced with Wyatt Sicks-inspired imagery, reflecting the brewing unrest within the roster. Concurrently, top stars paid tribute at the National Medal of Honor Museum, punctuating the evening with moments of reverence amidst chaos.
New Contenders Emerge Amidst Challenges and Poetry
Oba Femi‘s backstage segment with Nick Aldis and Kit Wilson’s poetic taunts injected a unique flavor to the event, culminating with Femi securing a match for the following week. Drew McIntyre downplayed the threats from current and potential Elimination Chamber qualifiers, including Sami Zayn, whom McIntyre acknowledged had earned a legitimate shot. This set the scene for a triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifier featuring McIntyre’s rivals.
High-Stakes Triple Threat Elimination Chamber Qualifier
The triple threat match between Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes, and Jacob Fatu unfolded with intense back-and-forth action. Fatu’s superkicks and high-flying attacks kept his opponents off balance, but Rhodes and Zayn countered with powerful slams and technical holds. Drew McIntyre unexpectedly interfered, attacking Fatu and nearly tipping the scales. In a dramatic conclusion, sustained offense from Rhodes enabled him to secure victory over a weary Zayn, ensuring his qualification for the Elimination Chamber. The interference hinted at McIntyre’s desire to avoid certain Wrestlemania matchups, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding storyline.
Summary of Match Outcomes and Future Implications
The night’s results delivered unpredictable twists: the Women’s Tag Team Title match ended in a double disqualification, while Solo Sikoa and the MFTs defeated Carmelo Hayes and partners in a brutal tag match. Alexa Bliss triumphed over Zelina and Giulia to qualify for the Women’s Elimination Chamber, and Trick Williams continued his ascent by beating Rey Fenix. Jade Cargill retained her Women’s Championship against Jordynne Grace, carrying forward ongoing rivalries. Finally, Cody Rhodes’ hard-fought victory positioned him among the confirmed competitors for the upcoming Elimination Chamber in Chicago.
With the event building toward Wrestlemania, these outcomes set the stage for intensified feuds and developing storylines. Whether it is emerging stars like Trick Williams and Tama Tonga, or established performers like Rhodes and Cargill, fans can expect wrestling drama to escalate as the Elimination Chamber approaches, promising an unpredictable road ahead.
