WWE's SmackDown on February 28, 2025, set the stage for the highly anticipated Elimination Chamber event, featuring thrilling matches and dramatic storylines. The show aired from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, building excitement for the upcoming Premium Live Event (PLE) at the Rogers Centre.
The episode kicked off with Canadian legend Trish Stratus making her appearance alongside Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. Stratus, emotional over the crowd's warm reception, expressed how eager she was to perform for her children, who were attending their first live wrestling event. She also acknowledged the significance of her 25th anniversary celebration. After the nostalgic moment, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Chelsea Green and Piper Niven, leading to the first match of the night.
Stratton challenged Green to a match, and less than pleasantly, they ended up competing when referees intervened. What unfolded was chaotic, as Nia Jax and Candice LeRae interfered, leading to the match’s disqualification. The crowd was left wanting more after Stratton had delivered impressive moves, including her cannonball senton. The bout ended without resolution, leaving many to speculate on the outcome when they finally clash at the Elimination Chamber.
Next up, Jacob Fatu entered the ring to face Andrade El Idolo as part of the United States Championship No. 1 contender tournament. The match showcased impressive athleticism from both competitors. Fatu, who had been granted this opportunity over Solo Sikoa, dominated the match and concluded with his signature moonsault, claiming victory and securing advancement as the crowd erupted with excitement for his performance.
The show continued with tensions rising among multiple competitors for the Elimination Chamber match. Drew McIntyre disrupted John Cena's video package, criticizing him as hypocritical. This led to Damian Priest and Seth Rollins joining the fray, creating heated exchanges among the wrestlers. The chaotic atmosphere reached another high when Logan Paul, instead of Cena, made his entrance, sending the Toronto crowd booing.
LA Knight then squared off against Santos Escobar, providing another exciting contest. The encounter was filled with intense momentum shifts until Knight landed his BFT finisher during the last moments to secure his victory, advancing him closer to the U.S. Championship match. This win added to Knight's growing claim as one of the top superstars to watch going forward.
Meanwhile, Kevin Owens remained absent from the arena but shared confrontational words with Sami Zayn from the Rogers Centre, indicating the high stakes of their match the next day. Tensions escalated, as Owens promised dire outcomes to Zayn at Elimination Chamber.
Carmelo Hayes was to face Braun Strowman, but the match turned controversial when Hayes cleverly faked injury due to perceived foul play from Strowman’s attack, resulting in another disqualification. This controversial finish raised eyebrows about Hayes' cunning strategies, likely to play out more clearly at Elimination Chamber.
The event culminated with the main event featuring Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, and Carmelo Hayes clashing for the final No. 1 contender spot. This thrilling triple-threat match saw each wrestler battle fiercely for supremacy with Knight pulling off the ultimate surprise victory after expertly timing his move against Fatu. The finish had the audience on their feet, signaling Knight’s title aspirations.
Finally, the evening ended with Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring to discuss The Rock’s peculiar offer. Accompanied by Michael Cole, Rhodes appeared hesitant but acknowledged the weight of the decision he faced. The show revealed The Rock’s surprise gift to Rhodes - a customized Raptor truck, adding even more pressure to his impending decision. The Rock, via video, urged Rhodes to commit to become his champion, tying Rhodes’ legacy to his late father, Dusty Rhodes. This personal touch heightened the intrigue surrounding Rhodes' ultimate choice, setting the tone for their inevitable clash at Elimination Chamber.
Overall, Friday's SmackDown lived up to its purpose as the final hype before the Elimination Chamber, marked by compelling matches and gripping storylines. The night was characterized by passionate performances, with wrestlers pushing hard to position themselves for success as WWE gears up for one of its most significant events of the year. The wrestling universe is left waiting with bated breath for what the Elimination Chamber will bring, as rivalries build and stories culminate.