The WWE Universe was treated to a jam-packed episode of SmackDown on February 6, 2026, as the blue brand rolled into action just days after a dramatic Royal Rumble. With WrestleMania looming and the Elimination Chamber on the horizon, Friday night’s show was loaded with high-octane matches, heated rivalries, and pivotal moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Roman Reigns wasted no time post-Rumble, officially declaring his intent to challenge CM Punk at WrestleMania after his monumental victory. Meanwhile, anticipation swirled around Liv Morgan, who, despite her Royal Rumble triumph, hadn’t yet named her WrestleMania opponent. The tension was palpable as the women’s division braced for Morgan’s decision, with Jade Cargill and Stephanie Vaquer both eyeing the coveted title shot.
The show’s opening moments set the tone for the night, as Drew McIntyre’s entrance was rudely interrupted by a blindsiding Cody Rhodes attack. The American Nightmare, still fuming after McIntyre eliminated him from the Royal Rumble, unleashed his frustration in a brutal beatdown before security intervened. Grabbing a microphone, Rhodes didn’t hold back, declaring, “Drew was the only one whose cracked my brain, more so than Shinsuke Nakamura ever did.” According to multiple sources, Rhodes made it clear that McIntyre wouldn’t be making it to WrestleMania with the title in tow, fueling speculation about a potential showdown between the two in the coming weeks.
Backstage, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis attempted to restore order, asking Rhodes to vacate the premises for his own good. But the night was just getting started. The women’s tag team division took center stage next, as Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky put their championships on the line against the formidable duo of Kiana James and Giulia. The challengers wasted no time employing every trick in the book—hair pulling, double teams, and distraction tactics—to gain the upper hand.
Despite the chaos, Ripley and Sky displayed the chemistry and resilience that have defined their reign. At one point, Iyo Sky was thrown outside and battered against the apron, but Ripley’s power turned the tide. After a flurry of high-impact moves—including a headbutt, Riptide, and a picture-perfect moonsault from Sky—the champions retained their titles with Ripley pinning Giulia. As one observer noted, “Ripley delivered a Riptide and moonsault to secure the pinfall victory over Giulia.” The win further cemented the duo’s dominance, while James and Giulia proved they’re not to be underestimated.
The men’s singles division brought its own fireworks as Carmelo Hayes squared off against The Miz in a match that delivered both athleticism and drama. Hayes, still riding high as United States Champion, faced a reinvigorated Miz who attacked with a new level of aggression. The two exchanged near falls, with Hayes executing a high-risk frog splash and The Miz nearly sealing the win with his patented Skull Crushing Finale. In the end, Hayes countered with a superkick and secured the victory with his First 48 finisher. As reported, “Hayes got the win, but both men came away from this looking great.”
The Elimination Chamber stakes were raised in a triple threat qualifier featuring Lash Legend, Chelsea Green, and Tiffany Stratton. The bout saw wild action both inside and outside the ring, with Green and Legend taking turns dominating the action. Stratton, however, showcased her athleticism and timing, ultimately landing the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to punch her ticket to the Chamber. “Stratton secured her spot with the prettiest Moonsault,” one account noted, highlighting her growing momentum in the women’s ranks.
Elsewhere, Kit Wilson’s crusade against toxic masculinity took a painful detour when he issued an open challenge to anyone who’d shared the Royal Rumble ring with him. Oba Femi answered the call, and in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it squash, Femi steamrolled Wilson in what was described as “the easiest win of his career.” The crowd barely had time to chant before Femi’s hand was raised, underscoring his status as a rising powerhouse.
The night wasn’t without chaos, as Drew McIntyre, still reeling from Cody’s earlier assault, attempted to address the WWE Universe—only to be ambushed by Jacob Fatu. Fatu’s attack was swift and savage, even sending security and officials scrambling. “Fatu was seeing red like crazy,” one fan quipped, as McIntyre found himself the target yet again. The relentless assaults on McIntyre have painted a target on his back, setting up a combustible road to WrestleMania.
One of the evening’s most anticipated bouts saw Tama Tonga take on Shinsuke Nakamura. The two men, whose rivalry stretches back to their days in NJPW, finally collided after weeks of backstage confrontations. The match was a hard-hitting affair, with Nakamura absorbing interference from JC Mateo and Tanga Loa. Despite Nakamura’s valiant comeback and a bone-jarring German suplex, Tonga capitalized on outside help to deliver not one but two Cutthroat finishers. “Tama Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura via interference,” the result read, marking Tonga’s biggest singles win in WWE to date.
The women’s division continued to shine as Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez teamed up to face Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace. The segment leading into the match was electric, with Cargill warning Morgan, “If you choose me, I’ll beat your ass like no mortal should endure.” Grace and Cargill’s uneasy alliance proved formidable, as a miscommunication between Morgan and Rodriguez led to Grace pinning Rodriguez for the win. The outcome left fans buzzing about Morgan’s eventual WrestleMania decision and the simmering tensions among the division’s top stars.
The main event of the night featured a high-stakes triple threat Elimination Chamber qualifier between Randy Orton, Aleister Black, and Solo Sikoa. The match was a showcase of contrasting styles—Orton’s veteran cunning, Black’s striking precision, and Sikoa’s brute force. The action spilled both inside and outside the ring, with each competitor coming close to victory. In the closing moments, Orton struck with a trademark RKO to Sikoa, earning his place in what will be his 10th Elimination Chamber appearance. As noted, “The Viper scored the win with an RKO to Sikoa, earning him a spot in his 10th Chamber match.”
With seven matches, minimal downtime, and a focus on both men’s and women’s divisions, this SmackDown episode managed to balance recapping the Royal Rumble while building anticipation for the Elimination Chamber. The groundwork is laid, the rivalries are intensifying, and the road to WrestleMania is heating up. If this week’s action was any indication, the blue brand is firing on all cylinders, and the WWE Universe can’t wait to see what’s next.