Six days after winning their respective Royal Rumbles, Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair will appear on tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Memphis, Tennessee.
Uso eliminated John Cena to walk away victorious from the men’s Rumble last weekend while Flair upended Roxanne Perez to win a title shot at WrestleMania.
Both appeared on Monday’s Raw; Charlotte followed that up by popping up on Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Uso is expected to speak with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes tonight while Flair is set to confront WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton.
Three Elimination Chamber qualifying matches will also take place tonight. On the men’s side, Drew McIntyre — the newest addition to the SmackDown roster — faces LA Knight and Jimmy Uso in a triple threat.
The two women’s qualifiers for tonight are Bianca Belair vs. Piper Niven and Alexa Bliss vs. Candice LeRae. Bliss returned in the women’s Rumble and is now wrestling her first one-on-one match since 2023.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as imagery of Memphis aired. LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Jimmy Uso and Charlotte Flair were shown walking backstage (separately, of course). A video recapping the Royal Rumble then aired. Jey Uso was shown out in the concessions area and made his entrance through the crowd for the first segment.
The Jey Uso segment
Boy, I think Jey’s entrance might take up an entire third hour of this show one day. I enjoyed the exchange between Cody and Jey despite it feeling inevitable that Jey will not choose Cody. Adding Fatu into the mix was logical, but I’d hate to see Fatu get a title shot sometime between now and Mania, only to lose and move his way back down from the top of the card. I admit I’m biased towards him, but keeping him strong for as long as possible is probably best for everyone involved – and not just Fatu himself. Only time will tell how that plays out, but as for tonight … do we have a tag match main event on our hands with Cody taking a pin due to his Rumble injuries?
After Jey’s very prolonged entrance, the crowd chanted “One more time!” and they hit his music one more time so everyone could Yeet again. It was 11 minutes past the hour when Jey actually started talking. Jey said he had a hell of a week and he got a lot of love from his family and fans and everyone in between throughout the week. “You deserve it!” chants broke out. Jey said he was there to pick a champion to main event WrestleMania with. He went to say he wanted to stand face to face with the WWE Champion and welcomed Cody Rhodes to the ring.
Cody made his entrance and hugged Jey in the ring. Cody was kind of/sort of limping, selling pain from his ladder match last weekend. The crowd chanted Cody’s name and Cody asked Memphis and Jey Uso what they wanted to talk about … but not really because Cody said he thought he knew what they wanted to talk about. Jey reminded Cody that he has two choices to make (actually, it’s one, but … you get it).
Cody said his hip is out of alignment and he needs fluid drained from his elbow and doctors told him that this week. Cody noted that his heart is full, though, because Jey won the Royal Rumble. Cody said this is going to be Jey’s WrestleMania and he referenced how he and Jey have had some drinks together in the past. Cody mentioned how they could go party on Beale Street later. Cody got on with it and said he’s going to have to win at WrestleMania, so if Jey chooses Cody, they should have some fun tonight because it’ll be the last time they have fun. Jey and Cody shook hands, but out of nowhere, Jacob Fatu’s music hit. Fatu walked out with Tama Tonga.
Tonga shushed the crowd and mumble into the microphone. Fatu then began talking and said last year, Cody took his title from his family. As of now, Fatu said, his family needs that title back. Fatu said that took him to Jey Uso, “Mr. Yeet Man.” Fatu said if there was anybody to bring back to the title to the family, it sure as hell wouldn’t be Jey. Uso hit Tonga with a super-kick and Fatu hit Jey with a super-kick. Fatu then attacked Cody and all his injuries. Fatu went for a hip attack, but Jey cut Fatu off with a super-kick. Jey and Cody then clotheslined Fatu over the top to end the segment.
**********
– My aforementioned potential tag match main event prognostication was officially announced for later in the night.
Bianca Belair defeated Piper Niven to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [8:04]
The story of the match was predictable but effective in its simplistic way: Belair wanted to get Niven up for the KOD and couldn’t do it for eight minutes until … well … she could. And did. And won. I might be in the minority, but WWE needs to do something to freshen up Belair. We forget it at this point, but she was a damn good heel and we all think she had something to do with that attack on Jade Cargill, right? Maybe pull the trigger on whatever is going to happen with that sooner than later? Anymore, Belair feels like she’s spinning her wheels. But Belair is a star and stars shouldn’t spin their wheels. Bah. OK. Sorry. Rant over.
Belair went for a KOD early, but Niven countered. That didn’t stop Belair from having control early in the match. Eventually, Niven clotheslined Belair with assistance from Belair’s braid. Niven ran at Belair, but Belair moved and Niven stumbled to the outside. With Belair against the LED board, Niven hit a splash on her before landing a Senton. Niven posed as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Belair cross-bodied Niven from the top rope for a near-fall. Belair went for a KOD again, but Niven headbutted her way out of it. Niven followed up with a Boss Man Slam for a two-count. Niven went for a Senton, but Belair moved and Belair speared Niven. With Belair in a corner, Niven came at her with a Cannonball and connected with it. Niven went to the top, but Belair cut her off. Still, Niven slammed Belair again and followed up with a Vader Bomb for a two-count.
Niven ran at Belair, but Belair moved and Niven ran into a ring post. From there, Belair got Niven up for a KOD and this time finally hit it. The move was good enough to earn Belair the win.
**********
– Carmelo Hayes and Nick Aldis were shown talking backstage. Aldis said Hayes will face a Raw superstar later in the show. Someone knocked on the door and Tozawa walked in. Hayes smiled and said he’d love to wrestle Tozawa later.
The #DIY segment
Johnny Gargano led things off and told the crowd to give it up for he and Ciampa. The crowd, in turn, booed. Gargano said they are the best tag team in the world. Ciampa said the chances of Motor City Machine Guns ever holding their titles are officially dead. Ciampa said it’s a shame because they respect MCMG and 11 years ago, MCMG were their favorite tag team. Gargano and Ciampa told everyone to stand up and surprisingly, a lot of people in the crowd did. Ciampa asked for a moment of silence and Pretty Deadly’s music hit.
Elton Prince started talking in the entranceway and said it was important to remind #DIY of the help Pretty Deadly gave them in recent months. Nick Aldis walked out with a microphone and said #DIY is in no position to make demands. Aldis said Pretty Deadly will face #DIY and if Pretty Deadly wins, they will receive a title shot. Aldis booked the match for “right now” even though the show instantly went to a commercial break, so maybe “right now” was actually “in a couple minutes.” Also of note: #DIY were in street clothes.
**********
Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) to earn a tag team title shot [2:57 of TV time]
Not much to this, other than between the #DIY promo and the subsequent match, all I could think about was when, how or why MCMG were eventually going to show up. But they didn’t. So this was just kind of there. This tag division needs more than just a shot in the arm; it needs a full-on overhaul.
Turned out “right now” actually meant “right now” because the match was joined in progress. As such, Kit Wilson received a hot tag from Elton Prince. Wilson stomped on Ciampa and sidewalk-slammed Gargano. Prince tagged in and the Pretty Deadly duo hit a springboard Codebreaker on Gargano for a two-count. Eventually, Ciampa and Prince were the only ones left inside the ring and Ciampa landed a lot of strikes on Prince. Gargano pulled on Prince’s hair and Ciampa rolled Prince up, but Prince rolled through and rolled Ciampa up for the win.
**********
– The Miz was shown talking to Andrade backstage. Andrade said he learned how to beat him last week and walked away. Cody Rhodes walked in and Miz asked Cody if he could believe the new crop of talent, being disrespectful and all. Miz said he’d always have Cody’s back and Cody said he didn’t need Miz to have his back. Miz asked Cody if he’d still be Jey Uso’s friend if Jey chooses Cody. Miz said ht’d be a hell of a story and Cody looked concerned as the segment ended.
– Footage of John Cena’s appearance at the post-Rumble press conference aired.
The Drew McIntyre/Jimmy Uso/LA Knight promo
The best 15 minutes of the program so far. You had to know Knight would address the McIntyre rumors coming out of the Rumble because that’s the era of WWE we are in these days and, as expected, it was a lot of fun. Better yet was Drew’s smirk at the “gotta get my stuff in” line. Knight’s speaking range was really on display here because when he turned serious for about 20 seconds, going into the mental health stuff, he had that crowd in the palm of his hands. It was really good stuff – and a worthy sentiment. Jimmy didn’t feel out of place, either, as a talker here, even though we aren’t really used to seeing him swim in solo waters when it comes to top-of-card promos. Everything everyone said worked here and that’s not common.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance and stood in the ring with a microphone. McIntyre said he was officially back on Friday Night SmackDown. McIntyre noted how he went backstage and tore some things up after being eliminated and then drove home. McIntyre said he woke up the next day and asked himself why he was so angry all the time.
Drew said it was because he was the victim of a toxic workplace, which was Raw. McIntyre said he can see clearly now because Aldis called him and told him “Drew will be allowed to be Drew 100 percent” on SmackDown. McIntyre said he was there for Cody and what he has – the WWE Championship. McIntyre was interrupted by Jimmy Uso’s theme music. Jimmy walked out with a microphone.
Jimmy said every single week, McIntyre keeps living in the past. Jimmy said nobody ever stole anything from McIntyre and tonight, Jimmy was there to earn a spot in the Chamber. McIntyre said a couple weeks ago, he’d be angry about what he said, but he’s “cool now, Jey,” which was funny. McIntyre said Jimmy and Jey are similar in every way and perhaps Jimmy would be where Jey is if he just said “Yeet” first. Jimmy said tonight, he needs to punch his ticket to WrestleMania and he’s ready to kick Drew’s ass. Jimmy said, “I’m going to WrestleMania, Uce.”
LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight cut his own music and said he doesn’t have any love for Jimmy because he’s the reason he’s not the WWE Champion. Knight spoke into the camera about mental health and it’s OK to cry. Knight turned that into saying three promises in life: Death, taxes and Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby. Knight used the phrase “Drew McIncryer.” Knight said he’s going to give Jimmy and Drew something to cry about – dashing their WrestleMania hopes. Knight said, “Oh wait. I forgot to get my stuff in,” and Drew rightly snickered. Knight stepped in the ring for their triple threat.
Drew McIntyre defeated Jimmy Uso and LA Knight to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [12:40 of TV time]
This exceeded my expectations, even if they weren’t all that high. Some of the near-falls towards the end had me wondering how this thing was going to turn out and the finish ended up being pretty clever. I wonder where this leaves both Knight and Uso going forward because one feels to be in a purgatory after recently losing a title (Knight), while the other feels like he’s supposed to be on his way up the card, but has no real program to sink his teeth into … yet. As for this match, all three guys showed up to work and the result was a very good WWE television match. This could have main evented the show and I wouldn’t have complained.
The match was joined in progress and all three were going after one another. McIntyre chopped Jimmy and went to work on him while Knight was down in a corner. Jimmy came back with a Samoan Drop, but Knight broke up a pin attempt. Jimmy hopped up and chopped Knight, but Knight came back with a pop-up slam. Knight ran into a headbutt from McIntyre. McIntyre threw Knight and went back to Jimmy and suplexed him. McIntyre whipped Jimmy into a corner and belly-to-belly’d Knight across the ring. McIntyre then smiled.
Jimmy came back and threw McIntyre to the outside, where Jimmy followed up with a dive. Knight joined the two outside and rammed McIntyre’s head onto the commentary desk. Knight did the same to Jimmy. Knight stood on top of the table and posed for the crowd. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from that break, McIntyre chopped Jimmy, who was perched on the top rope. Jimmy essentially crotched McIntyre, but Knight returned and cut Jimmy off while stomping on McIntyre.
Knight leapt to the top for a super-plex, but McInture pulled himself up and hit a German Suplex on Knight, who super-plexed Jimmy in a fun spot. Everyone was down and the crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Knight and McIntyre traded chops and Knight DDT’d McIntyre before going to the top and connecting with an elbow, but Jimmy broke up Knight’s pin attempt. Jimmy lifted Knight, but things ended up with Knight being Spinebuster’d via McIntyre for a near-fall that Knight barely kicked out of.
McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but Jimmy super-kicked McIntyre and clotheslined McIntyre over the top, to the outside. Jimmy super-kicked Knight and landed an Uso Splash on Knight from the top. The referee counted to two, but then McIntyre pulled the ref outside of the ring. McIntyre was laid out on the commentary table and Jimmy went for another splash on Knight, but Knight rolled Jimmy up for a two count. Knight set up for a BFT on Jimmy and McIntyre Claymore’d Knight for the win.
**********
– Damian Priest was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage in a hallway. Braun Strowman walked into the frame and told Priest he has to qualify for the Chamber and next week, it sounds like it’ll be Strowman vs. Priest vs. Fatu in another Chamber qualifying match. Strowman said Priest will be in the ring with a wild animal and a monster next week. Priest said he wasn’t overlooking anyone.
– Video of what happened between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on Raw aired. Owens cut a promo from his car and talked about how much he and Zayn have been through. Owens said the pain he suffered from his match at the Rumble might never go away and it’s all Zayn’s fault. Owens said Zayn watched as Cody tried to end Owens’s career and did nothing. Owens noted how Zayn rushed to the aid of Roman Reigns later that night while he did nothing for Owens earlier. Owens said Zayn is a horrible friend and a disgusting human being and he will never forgive him. Owens said he will make Zayn pay.
– Carmelo Hayes made his entrance with a microphone in hand. In the entranceway, Melo said Tozawa looks like “Cody Rhodes got left in the dryer too long.” Melo said when in Memphis, they call Melo Ja Morant. The only difference between he and Morant, he said, was that Melo would make the all-star team.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Akira Tozawa [7:32]
This was probably a bit overly competitive, considering how Tozawa has been designated as The Guy Who Loses All Of The Matches for quite a while now. And if we are trying to get Melo over as someone who shouldn’t take as many losses as he does, why are we going seven-and-a-half minutes again? Just a question. The opposite side of that? It’s nice to see Tozawa get some TV time and he held his own against one of WWE’s rising stars. That should mean something, right?
Tozawa jumpstarted the match and eventually hit a cross-body onto Melo, who was on the outside. About 30 seconds into the match, the show went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Melo was working on Tozawa’s arm. It wasn’t long before Tozawa fired up and hit a DDT for a two-count. Tozawa went to the top, but Melo moved and beat down Tozawa down. Tozawa tore his shirt off and went to the top, but Melo cut him off. Even so, Tozawa landed a Sunset Flip from the top for a near-fall. The two traded roll-up attempts until Melo hit a clothesline, a springboard DDT and a Nothing But Net for the win.
**********
– Tessitore said they reached out to Paul Heyman for an update on Roman Reigns’s condition after what happened at the Royal Rumble (Seth Rollins’s two-foot stomp), but weirdly enough, they couldn’t get a hold of the Wise Man. As such, Roman’s health status is up in the air.
– Jerry “The King” Lawler was shown in the crowd. Lawlor received a hero’s welcome, as one would expect in Memphis.
– R-Truth was shown with Tozawa backstage and left him once he saw Jey Uso. Truth called Jey “King Of The Ring” and said Tozawa “Yeeted on himself” before leaving. Cody walked up and asked Jey what he’s thinking about when it comes to WrestleMania. Jey said he’s undecided and walked away.
The Charlotte Flair segment
I sort of thought we’d get Jax vs. Stratton at Elimination Chamber, but hell, Valentine’s Day is just as well. Charlotte, man. I don’t know what to do with her and I don’t think the crowds know what to do with her. The heartfelt speech she gave on Monday didn’t go as planned and this felt like it wanted to land somewhere in between acknowledging the backlash she received on Monday and re-establishing her character, but it didn’t quite work. Or in other words … goodness, this felt rehearsed. I feel bad for her at this point. WWE can’t figure out how to book her in anything other than “I’m Charlotte Flair. Respect me because I am Charlotte Flair!” But it’s just not working anymore. Hopefully, they can heat her up by the time Mania comes around.
Charlotte soaked in some “Woooos!” before saying “Hi, Memphis,” to a mixed reaction. She asked the crowd if they loved her or hated her. The crowd cheered the love and booed the hate. Charlotte said when people boo, she sees money and it’s OK because she lives rent-free in fans’ lives. Charlotte said everyone is obsessed with “everything Charlotte Flair.” She said she knows everyone thinks she thinks she’s better than everyone. She asked if people thought she’d actually be gone for 14 months and not win the Rumble. Charlotte called the other women in the Rumble “unserious” and said there was no way she was going over the top rope.
Charlotte reminded everyone that she became the first two-time women’s Royal Rumble winner. She followed that up by talking about how she went to Raw and NXT earlier this week and tonight, she wanted to see if Tiffy … on cue, Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and out, Stratton walked. In the ring, the crowd chanted “Tiffy Time.” Stratton began by congratulating Charlotte and saying nobody is a bigger Charlotte fan than herself. Tiffy said she wasn’t sure if WWE could survive without Charlotte.
Stratton said she came along and ticket sales went up and WWE is hotter than it’s ever been. Charlotte paused and asked Stratton if she said something. Charlotte then said, “Sweetheart, you speak when I say you can speak.” Stratton came back and said she’s always been compared to Charlotte as a “Charlotte Flair wannabe.” Stratton asked Charlotte to pick her for her Mania match because then she’ll be The One And Only Tiffany Stratton. “Tiffy Time!” chants broke out again. Charlotte said she views Stratton as a child begging her to make her a star at WrestleMania. Charlotte said if Tiffy wants Charlotte to choose her, she’s going to have to beg. Nia Jax’s music then hit.
Jax walked out with Candace LeRae and said the “blondie back and forth was cute and all” because Jax is going to be champion by the time WrestleMania. Turns out, next week, it will be Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Champion. Jax said if Charlotte wants to be a champion at Mania, she’s going to have to go through Jax. Alexa Bliss’s music then hit and Bliss made her entrance. The women watched as Bliss got to the ring for the next match.
**********
Alexa Bliss defeated Candace LeRae to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [10:36]
Bliss is still getting her legs under her in terms of getting back in the ring, so any awkward spots here aren’t even worth noting. The win makes sense as she is one of the company’s biggest stars and the pop she received at the Rumble cemented that. As for tonight, this crowd hasn’t been kind to a lot of people, so I’ll reserve judgment on any continuous excitement for her return. LeRae was the right wrestler to put Bliss in the ring with as she gets back into the mix because LeRae did a very good job making Bliss look as seasoned as she could, considering the layoff. It should also be noted that some Wyatt Sicks distortion things happened for a second or three at one point in the match. Here’s hoping they have something solid in mind for Bliss and that faction.
Things were slow early. Bliss ultimately took control and teased a Sister Abigail, but LeRae turned it around and gained the upper hand. LeRae went to work on Bliss’s neck and back. Bliss eventually tripped LeRae into a turnbuckle and went to the top, but LeRae cut off Bliss. LeRae tried to set up a super-plex, but Bliss knocked LeRae off. LeRae went to the apron and Bliss followed. It was there where LeRae planted Bliss, face-first. LeRae posed a little and the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and LeRae was working on Bliss’s back. LeRae ragdolled Bliss until Bliss showed anger and slapped LeRae a couple of times. LeRae rolled to the apron and LeRae landed a neck-breaker on Bliss before heading to the top. From there, she hit a missile dropkick for a two-count. LeRae rolled up Bliss and the two rolled around to no avail for a little. LeRae ran at Bliss and Bliss hit what Tessitore called the Abigail DDT, which looked pretty much how it sounded. That got Bliss the win.
**********
– Backstage, Chelsea Green was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Next week, Green will face Naomi in a Chamber qualifying match. B-Fab and Michin walked into the frame. Michin said Chelsea might not be champion soon. Zelina Vega then came through and said it might be time she gets a shot at Green’s title, too.
– A Street Profits vignette aired and footage from their interference at the Royal Rumble was shown. Dawkins said #DIY’s days are numbered. Dawkins was all types of fired up. Montez Ford said they didn’t like all these strangers coming in and people essentially just teaming up for the hell of it. Ford said they want the smoke. This was great.
– The Machine Guns were interviewed in the locker room and Alex Shelley challenged the Profits the step up. Los Garza walked into the frame and Berto said it’s time for new teams to step up. Shelley started firing back and Santos Escobar walked in. Escobar said the Street Profits started everything by attacking them for no reason. Escobar said next week, it will be Los Garza vs. MCMG.
– A Damian Priest vignette aired. A Braun Strowman vignette aired. A Facob Fatu vignette aired. This all combined for one big vignette chronicling next week’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defeated Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga [11:05]
I love the return of Sikoa. I had already been thinking of what to say about him not being around after saying nothing a week or two ago, but this was the best way to reintroduce him into the fold. Does this mean we get Cody vs. Sikoa at Elimination Chamber One Last Time? Maybe. In the meantime, this was a fine-enough main event. I still would have gone with the triple threat from a wrestling standpoint, but it makes sense that this would close the show now that we know Sikoa was on his way back. Cody did a very good job selling the effects of his ladder match at the Royal Rumble and Jey Uso continues to get over as Just A Fun Guy (not to be confused with Just Five Guys … wait, wrong promotion). Sikoa’s return leaves us with a nice hook for next week’s show.
Cody and Tonga started the match. Fifteen seconds later, Fatu tagged himself in to challenge Cody. Fatu immediately hit Cody a few times to establish control. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Fatu still had the upper hand on Cody. Tonga tagged in and Cody instantly fought back. Tonga went for a splash in a corner, but Cody moved and ultimately got the hot tag to Jey Uso.
Jey came in and worked Tonga over, complete with a hip attack on Tonga in a corner for a two-count. Jey hit a pop-up neck-breaker/cutter and things briefly broke down with Fatu super-kicking Jey. Tonga was still the legal man and hit a sliding clothesline for a two-count. Fatu tagged in and knocked Cody off the apron. Fatu lifted Jey and tagged in Tonga, who laned a springboard splash on Jey. Before long, Tonga and Jey clotheslined each other to reset the match with about four minutes to go toward the top of the hour.
Cody received the hot tag and Fatu tagged in, too. Cody hit a Disaster Kick and a drop-down punch. Cody landed a Cody Cutter on Fatu for a one-count. Cody set up for a Cross-Rhodes, but Fatu worked out of it and tagged in Tonga, who planted Cody with a weird Flatliner for a two-count. Cody went to the top, but Fatu pushed Cody off the top and Tonga executed his jumping DDT for a two-count. Fatu super-kicked Cody and ran the ropes, but Jey cut Fatu off and super-kicked him on the outside. Inside the ring, Cody hit a Cross-Rhodes on Tonga for the win.
As Cody has his hand raised, Solo Sikoa ran in with a hoodie covering his face and gave Cody the Samoan Spike. Sikoa stood tall to end the show.
