Tag: IYO SKY

Report: SmackDown champion expected to appear on Monday’s WWE Raw

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

A SmackDown champion is anticipated to make an appearance on Raw tonight following last week’s events. 

According to PWInsiderElite.com, Jade Cargill is slated to make an appearance on the upcoming episode of Raw.

Cargill will defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42. Additionally, her newly formed alliance with Michin and B-Fab altered the powerplay in her favor. 

On the April 3 edition of SmackDown, Ripley faced Michin in a singles bout. That came to an abrupt halt with B-Fab and Cargill’s attack on her. While Cargill was setting Ripley up to hit her signature Jaded move, IYO Sky rushed to the ring to assist her former tag team partner. 

After Ripley’s Elimination Chamber win, targeting Cargill’s title for WrestleMania 42 she switched brands from Raw to SmackDown. WrestleMania 42 marks Ripley’s seventh consecutive match at the Premium Live Event and Cargill’s first. 

Meanwhile, Sky is involved in a feud with The Kabuki Warriors on Raw. There is a new threat on the horizon after she cost Raquel Rodriguez her match against Stephanie Vaquer on the March 16 edition of Raw. This led to a singles match between Sky and Rodriguez on the March 23 episode.

Peter Rosenberg responds to IYO SKY clip, tells wrestlers ‘don’t bother with these dives’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

When he interacts with WWE talent, radio host and commentator Peter Rosenberg advises them to avoid doing moves like suicide dives.

A clip from Monday’s Raw has been going around social media showing IYO SKY coming up short while trying to hit Asuka with a dive. While attempting the move, SKY contacted the ropes and wasn’t able to get enough air, falling on her head/neck before reaching her intended target. Rosenberg responded to the clip by saying that he wishes wrestlers would avoid moves like this because of how little upside they have.

“This is why I tell whoever I can at evolve and even on the main roster — don’t bother with these dives,” Rosenberg wrote.” They are all risk — no reward. If you successfully hit a suicide dive in 2026 no one cares, But if you mess it up you could truly harm yourself! Don’t do it.”

Rosenberg is part of the commentary team for WWE Evolve, which focuses on Performance Center recruits and WWE ID prospects. He also is a panelist on PLE pre-shows and post-shows and hosts SiriusXM’s Cheap Heat.

After receiving some pushback from fans for making a comment like this as a non-wrestler, Rosenberg posted a follow-up.

“People seem upset I posted this. It came only from a place of sincere care,” he wrote. “Iyo is amazing and one of the best on earth and it still presents a huge risk. I just think the risks outweigh the reward. I say this as a huge fan and someone who is privileged enough to be up close and personal with this business. I am not a wrestler and never put my body on the line. My respect for those who do it is undying. That said — I have opinions for a living . And my opinion is this move is not dope enough to be worth it anymore.”

SKY lost to Raquel Rodriguez on Monday’s Raw after Asuka and Kairi Sane got involved. A match between SKY and Asuka could potentially be added to the card for WrestleMania 42.

WWE’s WrestleMania 42 plans for IYO Sky could involve another Raw star

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE’s WrestleMania 42 plans for IYO Sky could also involve another star from Raw.

According to Bodyslam+, there have been internal discussions within WWE about Sky facing Asuka at WrestleMania 42. The report also notes there has been some support for potentially adding Kairi Sane to the match, making it a triple threat.

The growing friction between the two did not evolve overnight. It stemmed from the time they betrayed IYO Sky who was also a former member of Damage CTRL. The Kabuki Warrior’s relationship has been strained with Asuka’s continued taunts and insults. In most scenarios, Sane has showcased empathy for whoever gets the unfortunate hate from Asuka. 

Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley’s Elimination Chamber win forced a change in the creative direction for the duo. As The Eradicator heads off to SmackDown to compete against Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Title at WrestleMania 42, it seems Sky will also have her time in the spotlight at The Grandest Stage of Them All.  

WWE Raw live results: Intercontinental title defense, Oba Femi vs. Rusev

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: March 9, 2026
Location: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA 

The Big Takeaway —

Raw concluded with another heated exchange, this time between CM Punk and The Usos. 

Also, Judgment Day turned on Finn Bálor and laid him out. Notably, JD McDonagh aligned himself with Dom and the rest of Judgment Day.

**********

Show Recap — 

Penta (wearing no makeup under his mask), Asuka and Kairi Sane (with Iyo Sky looking on from the hallway), Oba Femi, Rusev, and CM Punk were shown arriving at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

There was a long recap video of Seth Rollins attacking Paul Heyman last week. 

Adam Pearce was in the ring to start the show. Pearce said he had some unfortunate business to attend to, and he called out Seth Rollins. He figured Rollins was in the building because he knew The Vision was. 

At least a dozen masked men appeared ringside (and the crowd chanted, “Holy shit” for some reason). They scampered around the ring to cause confusion and, as Michael Cole stated, played some sort of shell game. This was pointless. They all left the ring to leave one man standing—Seth Rollins, of course. Rollins works there, so I’m not sure why he went through all this trouble. Even Pearce questioned why he did this. 

Pearce also questioned Rollins’ recent attacks on the Vision, wondering what would happen once Rollins’ plan didn’t work. Pearce reiterated that Rollins was not cleared, and if the Vision got their hands on him, it would be the end of Seth Rollins. 

Logan Paul and Austin Theory, the remaining members of the Vision, interrupted. They wanted to be the ones responsible for Rollins’ end. They hit the apron, but the many masked men entered the ring to guard Rollins. Rollins put his mask back on as the others played their distraction game again, allowing Rollins to escape. (This looked so silly.) 

With Rollins gone, LA Knight marched out to attack Theory and Paul. He was overwhelmed, so The Usos ran out to help him out and clear the ring. The three babyfaces posed together as the heels left.

(This was a nonsense segment. I understand Rollins being elusive to escape The Vision at full strength, but they’re down to their two least intimidating members.) 

Cole announced there was no timetable for Heyman’s return. 

Jackie Redmon caught up to the Usos, who seemed like they were about to leave the arena already. They said they had receipts for the Vision. Jey was red-hot, but Jimmy was more even-keeled. Redmond asked about CM Punk’s comments to Roman Reigns. Jey didn’t want to comment, and he was ready to go, but Jimmy did have something he wanted to say. They made their way back in the direction they came from. 

********

Women’s Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match 

– Lyra Valkyria vs. IYO SKY 

Valkyria dropped Sky off the top rope to take control ahead of a break. Sky hit a flapjack as they returned and continued with strikes, a butterfly backbreaker, and a corner meteora. Valkyria came back with an enziguri, a tornado DDT, and a high-angle fisherman’s suplex for two. Sky countered a Nightwing with a double foot stomp, buzzsaw kick to the head, and a moonsault for the pinfall win. 

Match result: IYO SKY eliminated Lyra Valkyria (9:21) 

– IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Rodriguez had control from the onset and hit a shoulder tackle, which saw Sky take a great-looking bump. As in the previous match, Sky was worked over throughout the entirety of a commercial break. When they returned, Sky hit a hurricanrana off the top and followed with a missile dropkick. 

Sky woke up the crowd by doing her pose. She hit the meteora and went for a moonsault, but Liv Morgan appeared at ringside to distract her, and Rodriguez knocked her off the top. 

Stephanie Vaquer ran out to attack Morgan all the way to the back. Sky flew off the top and captured Rodriguez in a small package for the pinfall win. 

— Rodriguez was pissed, so she booted Sky out of the ring, lawn-darted her into the ring post, and hit a Tejana Bomb onto the edge of the ring. 

Match result: IYO SKY eliminated Raquel Rodriguez (6:18) 

– Ivy Nile vs. IYO SKY

Ivy Nile sprinted out and immediately covered Sky for the surprise elimination. 

The crowd liked Sky, so the Rodriguez post-match beat-down and this elimination got a lot of heat. 

Match result: Ivy Nile eliminated IYO SKY (0:05)

– Ivy Nile vs. Bayley

Bayley made the mistake of checking on Sky as she entered, so Nile attacked her from behind and held control throughout an early commercial break. Bayley fought back when they returned with suplexes and a diving elbow drop for two. Nile responded with a German suplex for two. With Nile seated on the middle turnbuckle, Bayley ran up from behind and hit her own German suplex for two. 

Nile followed with an impressive delayed vertical suplex (which got a round of applause) for two. Nile then hit a superplex and a spinning Uranage, but Bayley fell out of the ring. Nile went after her, so Bayley drove her into the ring steps. 

Bayley hit an elbow drop on the apron and followed with Bayley-to-belly for the pinfall elimination. 

Match result: Bayley eliminated Ivy Nile (9:10) 

– Bayley vs. Asuka (w/ Kairi Sane)

This was the final match in the gauntlet. 

As Asuka entered with Sane, Bayley immediately nailed her with a suicide dive. (There was a great slow-motion replay of this. Sane was posing for the camera as her friend got wiped out behind her.) Despite the dive, they had to follow their usual pattern. Sane distracted Bayley, and Asuka kicked her in the head to take control ahead of an early break. 

Asuka had control through the break, but when they returned, Bayley hit a sunset flip powerbomb into the bottom turnbuckle for two. Asuka applied an ankle lock, but as Bayley got close to the rope, Asuka dropped into a cradle for two. Bayley applied an ankle lock/leg lock of her own, but Asuka got a rope break. Asuka hit an elevated knee, but Bayley fought back with a running knee strike for two. Asuka hit a series of strikes, which led to a two count. They traded counters until Bayley hit a Bayley-to-belly for a nearfall. 

Asuka distracted the referee so that Sane could attack Bayley outside the ring, but Valkyria flew in and dropkicked Sane into the side of the ring. Bayley tried a diving elbow, but Asuka countered into an Asuka Lock. Bayley countered into a cover, but Asuka’s shoulders were up, so Bayley picked her up and hit Rose Plant for the pinfall win. 

Bayley is now the number one contender for AJ Lee’s IC title. Bayley posed with Valkyria in the ring, while Asuka confronted Sane outside of it. 

Match result: Bayley eliminated Asuka to win the gauntlet match (8:48)

******** 

There was a video package of Punk’s encounter with Reigns last week. 

Nattie cut a promo on the stage on Maxxine Dupri during a break until she was attacked from behind by Dupri. Officials pulled Dupri away, so Nattie popped up and decked her. 

Danhausen approached Original Grande Americano (Chad Gable) backstage. Danhausen was cheered. He tried to take Americano’s mask to try it on, but Americano told him never to touch a luchador’s mask. Americano wanted him to leave so he could focus on his upcoming IC title match. Danhausen didn’t appreciate being shooed away, so he cursed Gable (and the crowd sang along). Gable was unconcerned with being cursed. 

******** 

Penta entered with his new IC title belt, and he cut a strong promo. He thanked his family, his friends, the company, and the fans. He thanked anyone who believed in him. He also thanked himself because he believed he could achieve the IC title. The title was not just for him; it was for everyone who did not give up. He represented all of them. He was their new IC champion, ready to make history. He fired up and cut the rest of his promo in Spanish, and the fans were into him. 

El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) entered, but of course, he is not Penta’s opponent. Penta was hot over this, but he invited El Grande into the ring anyway. 

Cole wasn’t sure what was going on because Penta was supposed to face Gable Americano, but Corey Graves said this could be because of Danhausen’s curse. 

Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser)

This started during a break, and they went to another break minutes later. So the first 9 minutes or so included about 5 minutes of commercials. 

I mentioned last week that Dominik Mysterio tied Penta’s mask to the bottom rope, a spot they always seem to do exclusively during commercial breaks. Well, sure enough, Americano did the spot during a break again. 

Penta fought back after the break, hitting a flip dive and flying crossbody for two. Americano responded with a spinebuster for two. Penta hit a superkick, but Americano countered a Destroyer attempt into a Finlay roll for two. 

Americano came off the middle rope, but Penta caught him with a Codebreaker and followed with a Canadian Destroyer for the decisive pinfall win. 

Match result: Penta defeated El Grande Americano to retain the Intercontinental Championship (12:10)

******** 

Stephanie Vaquer cut a pre-taped promo on Liv Morgan (which included subtitles, as she went back and forth between English and Spanish). Vaquer said she knew how good Morgan was and how hard she had trained since being signed at 20. But she hated Morgan’s stupid laugh and that she was too ignorant to use her skills. Morgan hid behind a trashy man and sent her friends to do her dirty work. Morgan claimed Vaquer came from “mud huts,” but she was proud of where she came from. 

Vaquer was forged from her experiences. They took different roads to get there, but both had the skill to be there. The difference was that Morgan became lazy. Morgan saw herself as a cheap blonde and always took the easy way to win championships. She would need to bring every trick to WrestleMania because Vaquer would bring blood, sweat, and her experience. Vaquer would continue to make history as world champion. 

They cut to Morgan backstage, pissed at Vaquer for saying she hid behind her friends. She was with JD McDonagh and Rodriguez, and she told Rodriguez she would help her get back in the title picture. Dom stormed in and asked if they’d seen Finn Bálor. They said no, but McDonagh went to look for him. 

******** 

Danhausen entered during a break. He was universally cheered. (Doing this during a break was likely a test to see how the fans  would react.) Danhausen handed out t-shirts and did his catchphrase. (The t-shirts were probably also a backup plan in case he got booed. I think they’re in the clear now.) 

******** 

José Valenzuela was in the front row, as were Mike Morris and Ernest Jones of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. 

Dominik Mysterio and Finn Bálor segment

Dom entered with Morgan and Rodriguez. He was upset about losing the IC title. He wanted a rematch and thought he should still be champion, but he wasn’t because of Finn Bálor. Dom didn’t want to do this in public, but Bálor was making him. 

Bálor entered with McDonagh. Dom asked where the hell he’s been. Dom hoped Bálor was there to tell him that he got him an IC title rematch. 

Bálor said Dom was right. If it weren’t for him, Dom would still be IC champion. For that, Bálor was sorry. Bálor was just trying to help and teach him a lesson. Judgment Day was a family, and they’d always have Dom’s back. 

Bálor knew Dom wanted to be the greatest Mysterio of all-time, but he had to learn to fight his own battles. Bálor has been trying to guide him for two years, but the more he did that, the more he realized Dom’s dad was right. “Maybe you are just a spoiled little prick.” (I think he said “prick” anyway. They censored it. Since when is “prick” a swear?)  

Dom shoved Bálor, so Bálor dropped him with a Pelé Kick. Bálor was about to pummel Dom, but McDonagh pulled him off to calm him down. Dom tried to sneak attack, so Bálor hit him with a slingblade. 

Bálor set up for a running dropkick, but McDonagh levelled him with a clothesline. (This was meant to be a shocking moment with JD turning on his long-time friend, and the crowd reacted as such, but Cole sure didn’t.) 

The entire Judgment Day (Dom, Morgan, Rodriguez and JD) put the boots to Bálor before Dom grabbed the bell hammer. Bálor tried to fight back, but Dom clocked him with the hammer. 

McDonagh held Bálor down against the rope allowing Dom to hit a 619, as the crowd told Dom that he sucked. Dom hit a frog splash. McDonagh placed a steel chair on Bálor, and Dom hit another frog splash.

(This was a good, simple angle. Bálor is finally a babyface and finally out of Judgment Day.) 

********

Backstage, Pearce put over Je’Von Evans’ performance in the Elimination Chamber and saw big things for him in 2026. Evans said he wouldn’t let him down. Pearce told him to enjoy the week, and Evans was pleasantly surprised to hear he had the whole week off. 

Evans was approached by Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller. Waller tried confronting him, but Kingston told Waller to leave. 

Kingston told Evans that they got off on the wrong foot. Xavier Woods got injured, and Offset was out of line. Kinston got offended and took it out on Evans. But the truth was, Evans reminded him of himself. 

Kingston became WWE Champion and thought Evans could do the same. Evans just needed the right team behind him. Evans was about to turn him down, but Kingston told him to think about it. Kingston offered a handshake. Evans didn’t shake his hand, but did say he’d think about it. 

********

Redmond interviewed Bayley about her IC title match next week. Bayley thanked Valkyria for having her back earlier. She called AJ Lee a legend, and if it wasn’t for her, a lot of them wouldn’t be there now. The IC title was one she’s wanted to win since it was created. Bayley also offered Valkyria a shot if she won. 

Oba Femi vs. Rusev 

Femi was in control until Rusev kicked him off the apron, drove him into the ring post, and hit a spinning heel kick that sent Femi into the announce table. Rusev hit a Machka kick in the ring, but Femi exploded out of the corner with an uppercut. Femi followed with a biel and Fall from Grace for the pinfall win. 

This was all this needed to be. 

Match result: Oba Femi defeated Rusev (3:07) 

******** 

Next week on Raw in San Antonio: 

  • Brock Lesnar appears (presumably without Paul Heyman) 
  • AJ Lee (c) vs. Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship 
  • Original El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano 
  • Roman Reigns appears 

********

Main event segment with CM Punk and The Usos  

Punk entered to a big reaction. He signed autographs and shook hands with fans during a break. He gave a shout-out to the Seahawks. 

Punk admitted he wasn’t sure how the fans would react to him. He thought some of them would be mad at him. Some people were upset about things he said last week. One thing in particular was categorized as disrespectful. 

He knew Roman Reigns never respected him. But Punk would force him to respect the position he held. Championships were made to find out who the best were. The best go on to defend their championships. This title, in particular, was created because Reigns shunned his championship responsibilities and refused to defend his title. 

Punk defended his title because he was proud of it, and the fans deserved a fighting champion. When Punk defended the title, he levelled up the competition. If you faced him, you had to level up physically and verbally. Otherwise, he would leave you dumbfounded and slack-jawed like Reigns was last week. Unfortunately, Punk lowered himself to Reigns’ level, and it’s been on his mind all week. 

The Usos entered. Jey was red hot and told Punk to apologize right now. Punk asked why Reigns was still sending his cousins to do his heavy-lifting. Jey said they came out there on their own and told him again to apologize. 

Jimmy said this had nothing to do with Reigns and everything to do with respect. Jimmy told “Phil” that he respected him because he spoke from his mind and ran right through his obstacles. Jimmy said Punk called himself the voice of the voiceless, and he could talk trash about Reigns all he wanted, but he disrespected their late uncle, who had no voice. Jimmy told Punk to apologize. 

Punk said Jimmy was right. Sika didn’t have a voice. Punk wasn’t spiritual, but he knew the Usos were. He asked if they believed Sika could hear them now. Jimmy said yes. Punk hoped he could hear this. 

Punk said he was friends with the Usos, and he went back a long way with their family. He respected Sika, but didn’t know him as well as he knew Afa. When he lived in Philadelphia, he would drive to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to wrestle. He wouldn’t say he wrestled for free. Afa was generous enough to give him gas money, food or a roof over his head if needed. But Punk was really paid in knowledge, sitting under the Wild Samoan’s learning tree. It was a thrill to sit in the back of a pick-up truck with Samu and have him drop knowledge. 

Everyone in their family showed him respect—except for that one son of a bitch. If the Usos believed that Sika could hear and see this, then Sika could also see what a lying, conniving, backstabbing, manipulative, gaslighting, egotistical, narcissistic, plastic, politician his son Roman is. 

Jey got in Punk’s face and reminded him that this wasn’t about Reigns. He told Punk to apologize. (Some fans chanted, “Say ‘you’re sorry.’”)

Punk shook each of their hands and said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry Roman Reigns treated the two of you and the rest of his family in the Bloodline like garbage for years and never once came out here publicly to apologize for the way he treated his ‘family’ that he loves.” 

Punk was sorry that Reigns disrespected one of his mentors, Dusty Rhodes, when he called him irrelevant and was somehow not on the hook for apologizing, but Punk somehow was. He was sorry that Reigns had tricked everyone into thinking that he gave a single damn about any of them or any of this. Because if Reigns did care about them or the people or him or the business, Punk would be talking to him right now instead of his young boys. 

Punk shoved the mic into Jey’s chest, so Jey shoved him back. Punk was about to return the favour, but Jimmy dropped him with a right hand. Punk sat up and watched as Jimmy and Jey left the ring.

Women’s Tag Team title match part of next week’s WWE SmackDown lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A rematch for the Women’s Tag Team titles is part of next week’s SmackDown in Louisville, Kentucky.

This week’s show saw Nia Jax and Lash Legend reveal their new team name, the Irresistible Forces. It was also announced that the two will challenge for the Women’s Tag Team titles on next week’s show. They came up short in defeating Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY on last week’s show.

A singles match between Uncle Howdy and Solo Sikoa will also take place. After Tama Tonga defeated Ilja Dragunov on Friday, the MFTs continued to attack Dragunov and also took care of Matt Cardona and Apollo Crews, who attempted to make the save. Uncle Howdy appeared on the screen and challenged Sikoa to appear by himself next week, noting that he would do the same.

Other matches will see Jordynne Grace take on Candace LeRae after a backstage confrontation and Oba Femi meeting The Miz after they too had an encounter backstage.

WWE SmackDown (February 27)

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team titles: Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY defend against The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) 
  • Jordynne Grace vs. Candace LeRae
  • Oba Femi vs. The Miz
  • Uncle Howdy vs. Solo Sikoa

WWE announces change to SmackDown lineup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A change has been made to the scheduled lineup for WWE SmackDown tonight.

Just a few hours before the show was set to begin, WWE announced that Rhea Ripley would be replacing her tag team partner IYO SKY in her match against Giulia. A reason for the change was not given.

This is a non-title match between two champions. Giulia currently holds the Women’s United States title, while Ripley & SKY are the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They successfully defended those belts against Giulia & Kiana James on SmackDown two weeks ago.

SKY vs. Giulia was set to be a first-time-ever singles match between the two Japanese stars. The Ripley vs. Giulia bout is also a first-time singles meeting.

Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the venue for SmackDown tonight. The show is airing on Syfy due to USA Network’s coverage of the Winter Olympics. WWE has announced that an appearance by Cody Rhodes will be kicking off the episode at 8 p.m. Eastern.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, February 20) —

  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax vs. Kiana James
  • Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson
  • Giulia vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Tama Tonga
  • Cody Rhodes kicks off the show

Two matches added to WWE SmackDown lineup

Posted on by Ian Carey

Two matches have been added to the lineup for Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

Giulia vs. IYO SKY is now scheduled for the show. Giulia’s Women’s United States Championship will not be on the line. This match comes after Giulia and Kiana James unsuccessfully challenged IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the February 6 episode of SmackDown.

Also now official is Ilja Dragunov vs. Tama Tonga. Tonga is coming off a win over Shinsuke Nakamura on the February 6 episode of SmackDown. Dragunov is coming off a win over The Miz on the January 30 episode.

WWE SmackDown on Friday will take place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The updated lineup is below.

WWE SmackDown advertised lineup for Friday, February 20, 2026:

  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Nia Jax vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Kiana James
  • Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson
  • Giulia vs. IYO SKY
  • Tama Tonga vs. Ilja Dragunov

WWE SmackDown live results: Elimination Chamber qualifiers begin

Posted on by Marc Quill

The stars of WWE SmackDown begin their road to WrestleMania 42 tonight from Charlotte, NC, with the Undisputed WWE Championship title picture now even more volatile following last Saturday’s Royal Rumble.

That picture, and the WWE Women’s title picture, will become a bit more clear with the kickoff of Elimination Chamber three-way qualifying matches. One will feature Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black vs. Solo Sikoa while the other will see former Women’s World Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Chelsea Green.

Women’s Rumble winner Liv Morgan will also make an appearance as she has yet to decide who she will face at WrestleMania 42.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line as Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY defend against Women’s United States Champion Giulia & Kiana James.

WWE men’s United States Champion Carmelo Hayes will continue with his title defense open challenge seres.

Shinsuke Nakamura will take on Tama Tonga to round out the show that kicks off at 8 pm Eastern.

**********

– Over a shot of Charlotte’s skyline, Joe Tessitore introduced us to tonight’s show as he tossed to a recap of last Saturday’s Royal Rumble event.

Drew McIntyre opens SmackDown

The Undisputed WWE Champion arrrived to the arena with a smile on his face, but before he can even be properly introduced, Drew McIntyre was attacked from behind by a vengeful Cody Rhodes. McIntyre’s hated foe wanted to get revenge for the champion’s involvement in the Royal Rumble that got him eliminated. As a gaggle of officials came out to separate the bitter rivals, McIntyre was forced to retreat as Rhodes stood tall inside the ring.

Rhodes took the mic and said that things would never be the same, despite McIntyre’s best efforts. He said that for the first time, he can’t in good conscience point at the WrestleMania thanks to McIntyre’s interference. Rhodes discussed CM Punk and Roman Reigns making their WrestleMania main event official this past Monday, stating that the two of them were both glad that he wasn’t in their “you-know-what measuring contest”, because he didn’t get the nickname of “Raheem” for no reason. He talked about how much WrestleMania meant to him, and how he was born in Charlotte. “Imagine my discomfort returning here without the championship,” said the hometown boy. Rhodes said that McIntyre wasn’t mad that he wasn’t champion, but rather because Rhodes was the champ. He concluded by promising that his shame and discomfort would be McIntyre’s downfall, and that the Undisputed WWE Champ wouldn’t make it to WrestleMania.

I quite liked that Rhodes was understandably fired up after getting screwed out of the Royal Rumble by McIntyre and responded in kind with the attack. I am curious if this means we’ll see some kind of ultimate blowoff to this at Elimination Chamber instead of WrestleMania. What I didn’t like, however, was the “Raheem” meme being acknowledged, and the context it was mentioned in. To put it simply, it doesn’t take much to put two and two together to know that having the top babyface imply what he said, even in a joking manner, is a huge no-no. And that’s especially given the implications (the “you-know-what measuring contest”) coming from what was said by Rhodes and the timing of when it was said — this being Black History Month. Really, just a bad call all around.

**********

– Backstage, Giulia and Kiana James were interviewed ahead of their Women’s Tag Title Match against RHIYO coming up next. James again made it clear that winning the tag titles was part of the plan of making Giulia a triple champion.

– Elsewhere, Nick Aldis was admonishing Cody Rhodes for his attack on McIntyre, as he told him to control his emotions because he was set for an Elimination Chamber qualifier match for next week. Rhodes promised to control his emotions before leaving for the night, led by a group of referees.

WWE Womens’ Tag Team Championships: RHIYO (IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley) (c) vs. Giulia & Kiana James

Ripley and James started off this match with a test of strength, as the challenger flinched when Ripley was about to punch her. Giulia stepped up to Ripley as the legal woman, but wanted to face IYO SKY. Ripley obliged that request and tagged SKY in as we got some joshi action here early.

Giulia stomped at SKY’s head and mocked her taunt as she grabbed at her hair. SKY dodged an attempt at a throw by Giulia and hit her with an impressive shotgun dropkick. SKY got slammed down by Giulia, but couldn’t capitalize, so Kiana James involved herself by dropping SKY’s throat across the top rope. James tagged in and took over against SKY on the outside. James held SKY in position outside as Giulia hit her with a dropkick from the apron, which sent us to a break in the action.

This Papa Johns-sponsored match returned from commercial as SKY got blasted with a missile dropkick from Giulia for a near-fall. James tagged in as she and Giulia failed to hit a double team move on SKY. James tried to get the sneaky entry back into the ring to stop SKY from tagging Ripley, but couldn’t get it done. SKY tagged Ripley in, who was a house of fire as she cleared house on Giulia and James. SKY dove to the outside to take Giulia out right in front of the annunce tables.

Back in the ring, Ripley slammed James face-first like a pancake, but that wasn’t enough. James escaped a Riptide attempt and powerbombed SKY right on Ripley. Giulia and James hit a combination of their signature moves — the Arrivederci Knee and 401K — on SKY, but couldn’t capitalize. Giulia attempted a Northern Lights Bomb, but SKY reversed it. Ripley with the blind tag as she headbutted Giulia, followed by the Riptide. SKY finished this match off with the Over The Moonsault to pick up the win and retain the Women’s Tag Titles.

RHIYO def. Giulia & Kiana James via pinfall

This was a fun opening contest from start to finish. The brief glimpses we got of IYO SKY and Giulia facing off was a good appetizer for when we do get these two in one-on-one action down the line. There’s just something about the SKY/Ripley pairing that works so well, and it translates to their tag matches being really entertaining.

**********

– Ilja Dragunov was interrupted by the Miz, who claimed that he went to Nick Aldis and got a U.S. Title Open Challenge match. Carmelo Hayes then appeared, and stated that Miz didn’t deserve a shot at the U.S. Title, as he then offered to face him in a non-title match coming up next.

Carmelo Hayes vs. The Miz

Hayes started off hot as he hit his springboard clothesline on Miz. However, the former WWE Champion got the advantage as he flattened Hayes with an elbow afterwards. Miz worked over Hayes in the corners, but got hit with a kick to the back of the head, followed by a springboard leg drop. Hayes battered Miz with a chop in the corner, as he then stomped away on him for a bit before the referee backed Hayes off. Miz clipped at Hayes’ legs as another springboard clothesline attempt, before he hit him with a running clothesline, which took us to an awkwardly-placed ad break.

We returned from commercial as Hayes attempted to fight back against Miz with a series of furious strikes that forced his foe into the corner. Hayes connected with La Mistica on Miz, which sent him out of the ring. Hayes hit a dive from the ring to the outside on Miz, as he then attempted a frog splash. Miz got his knees up to block Hayes’ splash and nearly got the win on the pin, but only got two instead.

Miz teed off with his kicks, but failed to hit the last one as Hayes dodged it. The U.S. Champion countered a Skull-Crushing Finale attempt and cracked him right in the jaw with a superkick for the near-fall. Hayes pulled himself back up and headed to the top, as Miz turned that around and hit a slingshot sitdown powerbomb. One, two…. NO! Miz sized Hayes up, but couldn’t connect with the Skull-Crushing Finale. Hayes tried for First 48, but got countered into another Skull-Crushing Finale attempt. Somehow, Hayes avoided the impact at the last second and finally hit FIrst 48 to pick up the victory.

Carmelo Hayes def. The Miz via pinfall

That was a great match, yes, but that ending sequence where Hayes reversed the Skull-Crushing Finale into a First 48 was silky smooth and highlights why I enjoy watching Hayes in action every week. He just doesn’t miss.

**********

– Tiffany Stratton was interviewed about nearly winning the Royal Rumble, as she promised to get herself back on the winning track by way of qualifying for the Elimination Chamber. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre showed up and taunted Stratton, but were told off as the former WWE Women’s Champion got ready for her Chamber qualifier coming up next.

– The Wyatt Sicks interruption played as Bo Dallas talked about Solo Sikoa’s theft of the lantern. Dallas said Sikoa was scared of being left in the dark all by himself, which is why he stole the lantern. Dallas mentioned that fear doesn’t show up when everyone’s together, it shows up when you’re all alone. He chuckled as the video ended.

Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Chelsea Green (w/ Alba Fyre) vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend (w/ Nia Jax)

Green slapped Stratton and Legend to start this match off, which led to her getting bashed around by both the women she slapped. Stratton and Legend stood face-to-face and got ready for their own battle. Stratton leaped at Legend but was grabbed and used as a battering ram of sorts to take Alba Fyre out of the apron. Stratton recovered and forced Legend to the outside, as she then dove onto both Legend and Nia Jax.

Back in the ring, Green tried to steal Stratton’s pin and yelled at her. Legend tried to get involved, which forced a temporary alliance between Green and Stratton to clothesline her out of the ring. That alliance ended as it began as she headed to the top and took out Stratton and Jax with a dive to the outside. Green did her salute, but got rocked by a big boot from Legend, which took us into the break.

We returned from commercial as Legend lifted Stratton over her head and slammed her onto a prone Green before she splashed onto both women, but couldn’t get the win off of this. Stratton recovered and used Green as an impromptu stepping stone to kick Legend in the corner. Stratton caught Legend with a rough dropkick as she reversed an Un-Pretty-Her attempt from Green. On the top rope, Stratton hit Green with a superplex, as she rolled through with the uranage. Legend broke up the pin and tried for the Lash Extension, but couldn’t capitalize.

Legend caught Stratton and hit a buckle bomb, followed by the chokeslam for the near-fall. Meanwhile, Green leapt from the top rope and hit a Coast-to-Coast dropkick on both Stratton and Legend. Nia Jax pulled Green out as she made the pin, which led to a scuffle between her and Fyre at ringside. Things broke down as Green and Stratton heaved Legend over the timekeeper’s area with a toss. In the ring, Green attempted an Un-Pretty-Her, but was reversed by Stratton, who finished this match off with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

Tiffany Stratton def. Chelsea Green & Lash Legend via pinfall to qualify for Elimination Chamber

That was a bit of a rough match to watch. Moves looked rough and it seemed like nobody really clicked with anyone in this contest.

**********

– As Randy Orton was being interviewed about his Elimination Chamber qualifier, Aleister Black interrupted and talked about how we’ve said goodbye to two great wrestlers in John Cena and AJ Styles, and it was fortunate that Orton was still around.

– A video package highlighting the stars of NXT and their performance in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumbles was shown.

Kit Wilson’s Lesson in Toxic Masculinity

Kit Wilson made his way to the ring and got ready to teach us all a lesson in toxic masculinity. He talked about being in the Royal Rumble last week, and it disgusted him. He called everyone in the Rumble “toxic”, and stated that “they” didn’t want him in the Royal Rumble because of what he represents. Wilson called himself a man who moisturizes and a man who listens, as well as a man who moves his hips in a particular way. Wilson called the Charlotte crowd toxic as he then challenge anyone who was in the Rumble to face him right now to prove themselves.

Oba Femi made his way to answer Wilson’s challenge, garnering a great reaction from this crowd.

Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson

Wilson yelled at Femi, and got met with a hard strike from the former NXT Champion. Femi repeatedly hit Wilson in the corner with running elbows a-plenty before he put an end to this match with a Fall From Grace.

Oba Femi def. Kit Wilson via pinfall

Not much to say here other than if Femi is booked as strong as he’s been booked, then he’ll be a cornerstone of WWE’s main event scene for years to come.

**********

– Damian Priest and R-Truth were seen watching Femi’s match as Drew McIntyre rudely bumped into Truth. Priest said that McIntyre have had their problems, but it seems like the champ has his own problems to deal with, so he wasn’t going to add to that.

Drew McIntyre, Interrupted

The Undisputed WWE Champion made his way down to the ring and got ready to speak his mind, at least until Jacob Fatu attacked him in the ring. Fatu flattened McIntyre with a running hip attack as he then clotheslined him out of the ring. Fatu hit a suicide dive on McIntyre and battered him at ringside. Officials tried to stop Fatu, but found themselves in the path of his destructive force. Fatu struck at McIntyre, and forced him to run away through the crowd. Fatu stood on the announce table and taunted his foe in victory.

After the break, Nick Aldis told Fatu that he’d be in an Elimination Chamber qualifier match next week if he desperately wanted to get a shot at Drew McIntyre.

McIntyre getting attacked by both Fatu and Rhodes tonight seems to make it clear that their business with the champion is far from done, so I do wonder how that will play into Elimination Chamber, assuming both men qualify.

**********

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga (w/ J.C. Mateo & Tanga Loa)

Tama hit Nakamura in the ribs and got the early advantage with strikes to the head of his opponent. Tama missed with a running strike into the corner, which allowed Nakamura to hit him with a knee to the ribs while Tama was prone on the top turnbuckle. On the opposite corner, Nakamura did his signature “stomp” on Tama, but he got hit with a modifed Flatliner afterwards. Outside the ring, Tama slammed Nakamura across the announce table and draped him on top of it. Tama got on the timekeeper’s area barricade and hit Nakamura with an elbow drop, which took us to a break in the action.

This match returned from break as Nakamura hit Tama with a sliding dropkick, followed by a set of strong-style kicks that rocked his foe. Nakamura then hit a nice enzuigiri to Tama, before he connected with the sliding German suplex in the corner. Nakamura continued momentum with the diving knee strike, but couldn’t get the win just yet. Tama found momentum with a reverse DDT, as he then hit the running splash into the corner. Tama hit a double underhook facebuster on Nakamura for the near-fall as he then had him in position for a move of some sort.

Nakamura reversed that attempt into a suplex, that sent Tama scurrying out of the ring. Nakamura took J.C. Mateo out with a baseball slide, but fell victim to a jumping DDT from Tama back in the ring. Tama lifted Nakamura on his shoulders, but got countered into a side suplex from the King of Strong Style. Both men struggled to their feet and went back and forth with clubbing blows. Nakamura got the best of Tama with his trademark spinning wheel kick, and delivered a Michinoku Driver for the near-fall. As Nakamura had Tama in sight for Kinshasa, J.C. Mateo distracted the referee long enough for Tanga Loa to grab at his legs. Tama recovered and hit an unelevated Cutthroat, followed by one last one for the victory.

Tama Tonga def. Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall

That was an alright match, but the inevitable M.F.T. interference put a damper on things.

**********

– Fraxiom and the Motor City Machine Guns were walking backstage, as Candice LeRae approached the four and told them to look at what happened to Johnny Gargano lying on a box marked “NXT”. LeRae talked about what Axiom did to Gargano after he beat him last week, but didn’t get any sort of sympathy from Fraxiom and the MCMGs.

– As RHIYO talked about their victory earlier tonight, they were interrupted by Nia Jax and Lash Legend, who appeared to call their shot for the Women’s Tag Titles.

– A defeated Kit Wilson sauntered about backstage and noticed Matt Cardona, as he blamed him for his shortcomings. Cardona, who was chatting with Apollo Crews, told Wilson that he was always ready for a challenge.

Liv Morgan makes her presence known

The 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner was introduced by Nick Aldis in the ring, as she made her way alongside fellow Judgment Day cohort Raquel Rodriguez.

Morgan said that we were now in the presence of the “greatest Royal Rumble winner of all time”. She said she wasn’t just the greatest, as she called herself the hottest, funniest, smartest, and most iconic woman in the history of WWE. Morgan said that all of that came with a lot of power, but she didn’t have a lot of time to make a certain decision. Morgan said she could choose Stephanie Vaquer or face Jade Cargill. Morgan said that WrestleMania wasn’t the only thing on her mind, but that there was a huge elephant in the room. Before she could say what that was, Rodriguez took her mic and said that she had something to say instead. However, they were both interrupted by the arrival of WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill.

Cargill said that she didn’t care if Morgan won the Royal Rumble, and that she didn’t care if she was on SmackDown. Cargill said that if Morgan chose her, she’d beat her ass at WrestleMania before she turned her attention to Rodriguez. Morgan interrupted and talked about how she could pick Stephanie Vaquer and ensure Raquel Rodriguez would beat Cargill instead. This led to Jordynne Grace interrupting proceedings.

Grace said that Morgan did what she had to do to win the Rumble, but if she could get Cargill to defend her title, maybe it’ll be Grace who Morgan might end up facing at WrestleMania. Morgan interrupted and got told to shut up by both Cargill and Grace. Mr. Aldis talked about how if Morgan was available to talk, she was available to fight, which led to a tag match between Cargill and Grace versus Morgan and Rodriguez to be booked.

Not really my cup of tea, with this style of segment, mainly because of how Morgan’s style of promos isn’t really for me.

**********

Jade Cargill & Jordynne Grace vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez

This match started in progress after the commercial break, as Rodriguez was battering Grasce with elbows to the chest. Grace got lifted by a back suplex from Rodriguez, but she avoided a diving bomb. However, Morgan tagged in and tried for the Three Amigos. Grace countered on the third of the Amigos and delivered a suplex of her own. Grace flattened Morgan with a series of lariats, followed by repeated scoop slams. The cover by Grace, but Rodriguez interrupted the count. As Grace sent Rodriguez out of the ring, Morgan attempted ObLIVion, but was blocked by the strength fo Grace.

Cargill “accidentally” hit Grace with a superkick after Rodriguez got out of the way. Meanwhile, Rodriguez had an accident of her own as she hit Morgan with a kick as Cargill got out of the way. As Cargill and Rodriguez were staring down, Grace pushed the latter onto the former and pulled off the roll-up for the win.

Jordynne Grace & Jade Cargill def. Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan via pinfall

This match was a bit on the short side, but the friendly fire finish playing into Grace and Cargill’s feud, as well as a potential Judgment Day rift worked well.

**********

– Sami Zayn was met by Rey Fenix, who consoled him after his Royal Rumble loss, but both were interrupted by Trick Williams, who called himself the Michael Jordan to Zayn’s Charles Barkley. Williams talked about how he was the guy who gets things done around here. Fenix told Williams that he had a big mouth and he’d shut him up if he kept it up. Williams responded to Fenix, saying he’d do it “any time, any place.”

– Elsewhere, Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace were at each other’s throats following their tag match, as Nick Aldis told the two there’d be a WWE Women’s Title match next week on SmackDown, with Cargill set to defend against Grace.

– A recap of Roman Reigns & CM Punk’s fiery confrontation on Raw was shown, as we got official confirmation of Punk defending the World Title against Reigns at WrestleMania in ten weeks time.

Drew McIntyre has something to say

Now with seemingly no interruptions to hamper him, Drew McIntyre talked about how both Jacob Fatu & Cody Rhodes should be banned from the Elimination Chamber qualifiers for what they did to him earlier. He also took credit for dashing Sami Zayn’s dreams at the Royal Rumble before he finally turned his attention to Reigns and Punk’s promo from Monday night.

McIntyre talked about how he was been through hell to get the Undisputed World Title and that he’d never go part time. He put over the heritage of his Undisputed WWE Title, and that he didn’t blame Reigns for choosing Punk. McIntyre said that while Reigns and Punk were busy aura farming, he has the entire roster climbing the Elimination Chamber for the right to be the Undisputed WWE Champion.

As McIntyre was making his exit, Trick Williams interrupted to a huge ovation of “Whoop That Trick” chants. Williams said maybe he was just here to watch the main events and kicking up his lemon pepper steppers. Willams said that maybe McIntyre was worried about the wrong people, when he should be worried about him, the man who will take the WWE Title at WrestleMania.

McIntyre warned Willaims to walk before running, because if he interrupted him again, McIntyre promised he’d stick Williams’ “lemon pepper steppers” where the sun didn’t shine.

So, how was McIntyre’s response to essentially being treated as a third wheel on Monday by Reigns and Punk? He tried his best, yes, but it’s still an uphill battle to get ahead of it given how big the Punk vs. Reigns match is being sold as. Meanwhile, it’s nice seeing Trick Williams get into these big main event situations, as it’s clear as day that he’s being viewed as a big star.

**********

Next Week on SmackDown

  • WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: RHIYO (IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley) vs. Lash Legend & Nia Jax
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss vs. Giulia vs. Zelina
  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix

Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Solo Sikoa vs. Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black

Prior to the match, Sikoa was seen wondering where his M.F.T.s allies were, but they were nowhere to be found, as he made his way down to the ring alone.

Sikoa tried to get Black to team up on Orton, but it was a double-cross. Orton went for the RKO early, but couldn’t connect. Sikoa pulled Orton out of the ring and threw him into the ring post. Black hit his moonsault from the apron on Sikoa, as he then countered an attempted back suplex to the announce table and instead took Orton out with a clubbing blow. This took us into the break.

We returned from break as Orton stomped on Black while he had Sikoa trapped in an ankle submission. This opened both men up to Orton’s Garvin-style stomps, as Sikoa found himself in the corner being battered by punches. Black stopped Orton from attacking further, but got himself in the crosshairs of Orton’s punches in the corners instead. Black escaped his predicament and hit Orton with kicks across the chests, followed by punches to the ribs.

Black pulled Orton to the middle of the ring and worked him over until he was pulled out of the ring and thrown into the barrricade by Sikoa, who briefly stared Trick Williams down before he entered the ring. Sikoa kept Orton grounded with chops and punches as he pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Orton recovered and hit Sikoa with a series of clotheslines, but couldn’t hit the scoop powerslam, as Sikoa dodged it. Black entered the fray and got dropped with a pop-up Samoan Drop by Sikoa for the near-fall, as we took one more break in the action.

We returned to our main event as Orton hit a superplex on Black, but it put him in prime position for Sikoa to drop down on him with a splash for the near-fall. Black and Sikoa got themselves on their feet and traded strikes, but it was the Samoan who got the upper hand. Sikoa missed with the running hip attack, as Black hit him with the top rope Meteora. Orton got back in the ring and hit Black with clotheslines. Sikoa avoided the draping DDT from Orton, but he couldn’t avoid being dropped across the commentary table by Orton. Black also got dropped with the back suplex for his troubles.

Back in the ring, Sikoa was left stunned long enough to fall victim to Orton’s draping DDT. Orton had Sikoa in sights for the RKO, but Black kicked him hard. Sikoa recovered and caught Black with the Spinning Solo. One, two… NO! Sikoa attempted a Samoan Spike, but Black avoided it and got Sikoa with a big knee, followed by a bridging suplex for the two. Black hit Sikoa with a running knee, and almost got caught with the RKO. Black reversed it and attempted Black Mass. Orton dodged and got Black with the RKO, but the momentum sent him rolling out of the ring.

Sikoa snuck up on Orton and looked like he was going to get him with the Samoan Spike, but he got hit with an RKO instead. One, two, three. This one’s done.

Tonight’s show ended with Orton celebrating his win.

Randy Orton def. Solo Sikoa & Aleister Black via pinfall to qualify for Elimination Chamber

**********

Weird opening promo from Cody Rhodes aside (and I’ve said my piece on it above), this was an entertaining SmackDown, and a hot Charlotte crowd really added to it. The matches tonight were all at least decent and the Elimination Chamber build is taking shape well, even though it’s early on.

The Women’s Tag Title Match was my pick for top match of the evening. There’s just something really enjoyable about the Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY tag team and it brings out the best in both women, as well as the people they face in the ring. Lots of exciting action to be had there. The other matches were good and nothing really dragged.

Title match, Elimination Chamber qualifiers set for WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The road to Elimination Chamber officially kicks off on tonight’s post-Royal Rumble edition of WWE SmackDown.

WWE has announced that the first Elimination Chamber qualifying matches in both the men’s and women’s divisions will take place on SmackDown tonight. Both are triple threat matches. The women’s bout features Lash Legend, Tiffany Stratton, and Chelsea Green, while Randy Orton, Aleister Black, and Solo Sikoa will face off on the men’s side.

Elimination Chamber is being held in Chicago on February 28 and will decide WrestleMania opponents for the remaining World Champions that are not challenged by the Royal Rumble winners. With World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns already locked in for WrestleMania, the men’s Chamber winner will be challenging WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.

Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan has yet to reveal whether she’ll be challenging Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer or WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at Mania. Tonight, Morgan appears on SmackDown as she contemplates her decision.

Along with these matches, WWE has announced that Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY will defend their Women’s Tag Team titles against Giulia & Kiana James tonight. The show is taking place from in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Spectrum Center.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, February 6) —

  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Lash Legend vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Chelsea Green
  • Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black vs. Solo Sikoa
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY defend against Giulia & Kiana James
  • Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan appears
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga

Rhea Ripley shares inspiration behind WWE Royal Rumble attire

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Entering numbers 20 and 22 in the WWE Royal Rumble, IYO Sky and Rhea Ripley enjoyed their moment of togetherness at the PLE in a unique way.

While Ripley sported an all-black gear at the Rumble, her tag team partner, IYO Sky, was in a more cheerful, bright yellow attire. While contrasting, they shared a bond that was later revealed by Ripley on social media.

On her Instagram stories, Ripley shared that the idea behind their gear was inspired by iconic cartoon characters, Sylvester the Cat and Tweety Bird. Ripley sported an uncanny similarity with Sylvester the Cat, where she even had her nose tip painted red.

While Sky was able to eliminate only one participant, she was thrown out of the match by Lash Legend. Ripley later avenged Sky by eliminating Legend. Ripley spent a significant amount of time in this year’s Rumble and earned three eliminations to her name before getting thrown over the top rope by Raquel Rodriguez.

Title match announced for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez are getting a Women’s Tag Team title shot at WWE’s next Saturday Night’s Main Event special.

The January 24 edition of SNME will see Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY defend their newly won belts against Judgment Day’s Morgan & Perez. That was made official on Raw today with Morgan & Perez winning a triple threat match to become the new number one contenders.

The Kabuki Warriors and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria were the two other teams in the number one contender’s match. Asuka & Kairi Sane were looking to get another shot at the belts after dropping them to Ripley & SKY last week, but Morgan ended up pinning Sane for the victory. Sane did not notice that Morgan had tagged in — and Morgan capitalized on that by hitting Oblivion while Sane was focused on Perez.

Montreal’s Bell Centre is hosting the January 24 SNME special just one week before the Royal Rumble takes place in Saudi Arabia. Airing live on Peacock, this is the first SNME since John Cena retired on the show in December.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (January 24) —

  • Fatal four-way number one contender’s match for WWE Championship shot at Royal Rumble (competitors to be determined by qualifying matches)
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY defend against Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez)

WWE Raw live results: Gunther vs. AJ Styles in Germany

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: January 12, 2026
Location: PSD Bank Dome Düsseldorf in Düsseldorf, Germany

The Big Takeaway —

AJ Styles made Gunther “tap out” in the main event, but the referee didn’t see it, so Gunther won after a low blow and powerbomb. 

Adam Pearce suspended Bron Breakker indefinitely after Bron put his hands on him. However, the suspension may not last long because, as Paul Heyman noted, Pearce put his hands on Bron first. 

Next week in Belfast, CM Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor. Also, Becky Lynch and Maxxine Dupri will wrestle for the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. Yes, again.

**********

Show Recap — 

Michael Cole said there would be over 11,000 in attendance today in Düsseldorf, Germany. The country is hosting Raw for the first time in almost 29 years. 

CM Punk, The Vision (minus Bron Breakker), Je’Von Evans, El Grande Americano and friends, AJ Styles, and Gunther arrived at the arena. 

IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley kick off Raw in Germany

Rhea Ripley welcomed Düsseldorf to Monday Night Riyho. She talked about their win over Asuka and Kairi Sane for the tag titles, and the crowd chanted, “You deserve it.” Iyo Sky stole a line from Asuka and stated, “No one is ready for Rhiyo.” 

Ripley was about to issue a challenge to the locker room when they were interrupted by Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez. Morgan sarcastically congratulated them before noting she was a former tag champion who never lost her title. 

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria interrupted next. Bayley paused her promo so the fans could sing for her. Bayley said Morgan may not have lost her title, but Perez did lose them. Plus, Bayley beat Perez a few weeks ago, so if anyone deserved a shot, it was her and Valkyria. 

Sky yelled at everyone in Japanese until Asuka and Sane appeared out of nowhere to attack Sky and Ripley from behind and yank them from the ring. The remaining teams brawled until Ripley and Sky re-entered to clear the ring. 

As standard an opening segment as there ever was. 

********

Jackie Redmond interviewed AJ Styles about Gunther. Styles learned early in his career that this business was about respect. Respect for the ring, your fellow wrestlers, and those who came before. 

He and John Cena weren’t always on the same page, but they bonded over respect. Gunther disrespected Cena week after week, so Styles smacked him because Cena couldn’t. Styles would teach Gunther about respect tonight. Styles ended with: “In fact, I’m going to make you tap out like a little bitch.”

******** 

There will be a number one contender’s triple threat tag match tonight: Morgan & Perez vs. Asuka & Sane vs. Bayley & Valkyria. 

Morgan and Perez approached Finn Bálor backstage. Bálor was playing the WWE video game. Morgan wondered what he was doing, and she didn’t mean the game. She said he claimed he wanted gold but wondered if that was all talk. Judgment Day didn’t wait around for things to happen. Raquel Rodriguez didn’t wait for her title shot, and neither did they. It was time to stop playing games. Perez agreed with Morgan. After they left, Bálor responded, “Just you wait.” 

Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (w/ El Grande Americano & Rayo Americano) 

El Grande attacked Evans after Rayo distracted him. Evans fought back anyway and hit Bravo with a leaping dive and a nice running knee strike for two. Bravo responded with an airplane spin, which Cole noted looked familiar. 

Bravo went to the top, but Evans brought him down with an avalanche Spanish Fly, followed by an OG Cutter for the pinfall win. 

— El Grande attacked Evans after the match and chucked him over the announce desk. Evans re-emerged atop the barricade. They tried to swarm him, but he leaped right over the desk and escaped through the ring and up the aisle. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans vs. Bravo Americano (6:20)

This was a good little showcase for Evans, and they didn’t overthink it. I could have done without him running away post-match, but I’m sure he’ll be making his way through all three guys in the coming weeks. 

********

Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce backstage. Pearce told Heyman that if Bron Breakker plans to arrive with bad intentions, he should turn around and go home. Pearce wasn’t in the mood and would not tolerate it. Heyman said he would relay the message (with exactly as much sincerity as you’d expect). 

During a break, Jey Uso entered the crowd to his music to cut pretty much the same promo he and Jimmy cut last week. This was just a bit for the live crowd, really. 

******** 

CM Punk and Finn Bálor segment 

Punk entered. He said he would never grow tired of being their world champion. He planned on being champion forever, but he knew they were on the road to WrestleMania and anything can happen—just ask Cody Rhodes. But with the fans behind him, Punk felt like he could do the impossible. 

Before WrestleMania, there was the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. Two opportunities for guys to call their shot, and the road to WrestleMania went through him. He survived a battle with Bron Breakker last week, so he and The Vision were behind him. 

With the fans’ support, he looked forward to finding out who his next challenger would be. Punk thanked the fans and was about to leave, but was interrupted by Finn Bálor. 

Bálor said he wasn’t waiting for the Rumble or Chamber. Bálor didn’t want any hand-outs, but did recall Punk mentioning his name as a potential challenger after he won the title. 

Punk said he did mention Bálor’s name among a long list of talented wrestlers, but he wondered where Bálor’s ambition was because that was months ago. Punk saw Bálor playing video games and was preoccupied with helping Dominik and JD McDonagh. Punk wondered if Bálor was too busy shining Liv Morgan’s shoes. 

Punk asked if he would be facing Bálor or Bálor and the Judgment Day. Punk already dealt with the numbers game successfully over Breakker and the Vision. 

Punk acknowledged that he was a fan of Bálor. He also wanted to be a fighting champion, so he would go to the back and put his boots on so they could do this tonight. The crowd cheered and chanted for Punk. 

Bálor smiled when Punk accepted, but he said timing was everything. Bálor wasn’t just jumping into anything with Punk. Anyone who watched Bálor’s career knew that the line started with him. Punk didn’t have to worry about Dom or JD, but he wouldn’t be alone. 

Bálor previously watched as Punk repeatedly utilized home-field advantage in Chicago. But next week, they were in Belfast, Ireland. They would wrestle for the title next week, and there would be a new Irish World Champion. 

Punk accepted. He apologized to the fans in Düsseldorf because they wouldn’t get to see him work. He also apologized to the fans in Belfast because they’d have to watch their countryman go to sleep after a GTS. 

********

There was a video package for Gunther vs. AJ Styles. 

Number one contender’s triple threat tag team match: Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez

The teams brawled outside until Sane wiped out everyone with an Insane Elbow off the top. The two heel teams took turns on offence during a break until Valkyria made a hot tag following the break. 

Valkyria gave Perez an enziguri for two. Bayley hit Asuka with a back suplex, preventing Asuka from going after Valkyria from behind. Everyone (minus Asuka) then did a big stacked up powerbomb out of the corner, with Sane getting the worst of it. 

Asuka wasn’t pleased, so she hit Perez with a German suplex before hitting Bayley and Valkyria simultaneously with a double German suplex. Asuka held down Valkyria so Sane could hit an Insane Elbow, but the referee did not count the fall because Sane was not legal. 

(This wasn’t the plan because everything stopped for a moment, and Morgan still flew in to break up the cover that wasn’t being counted. Bayley could clearly be seen talking to Asuka and the referee as they reset.) 

Everyone traded moves until Valkyria caught Sane as she attempted a flying crossbody. Valkyria hit a backbreaker, and Bayley followed with a flying elbow drop, but Asuka broke up the cover. Perez hit Bayley with Pop Rox, but Sane broke up that cover. 

Sane chucked Perez from the ring, but Morgan flew in and hit Sane with Oblivion for the pinfall win. 

Morgan and Perez will challenge Ripley and Sky for the tag titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Montreal on January 24th. 

Match result: Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez defeated Kairi Sane & Sane and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria (13:02)

******** 

Becky Lynch cut a pre-taped promo. She wasn’t happy that mediocre Maxxine Durpri was already getting a rematch, while it took her almost two months to get hers. She claimed corruption from power-mad Pearce, but was confident she would retain the title next week in Belfast. Dupri would have to say goodbye to the big time. 

Byron Saxton interviewed Je’Von Evans during a commercial break. He was happy to pick up his first win as an official member of Raw, and was excited to be in Europe for the first time. He came across as being genuinely excited and let everyone know he would not let them down. 

Redmond interviewed Maxxine Durpi (with Alpha Academy). Dupri was disappointed he lost the title, but she proved to everyone that she belonged. She turned to Otis and Akira Tozawa and said she became champion because she believed in herself and wanted to see the same from them, because they were capable of great things. Dupri turned her attention to Lynch, who had to cheat to beat her. Dupri fired up and said she would break Lynch’s ankle. 

******** 

Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer segment 

Cole interviewed Raquel Rodriguez by the stage and asked her why she laid out Stephanie Vaquer last week. Rodriguez remembered when she was the girl who waited politely and patiently for her turn at the title. 

But things change, and people change. She was cheated out of the world title week after week. She would not stop until she had Vaquer in the ring one-on-one. When Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez stood tall as the new champion, then everyone could go ahead and feel sorry for Vaquer. 

Vaquer entered, wearing a walking boot, as officials surrounded her. Rodriguez mockingly limped to the back as Vaquer stared her down. Vaquer looked at the camera and said this injury would not stop her. She held up the title belt and said, “Come get it.” 

Of course, Rodriguez ran in and attacked Vaquer again. Rodriguez slammed the title belt over Vaquer’s walking boot as the crowd chanted, “You suck.” Officials checked on Vaquer as Rodriguez left. 

(This segment was fine, and Rodriguez did well, but these officials looked so incompetent, being the only ones in the world who did not see this coming again.) 

********

They showed clips of Drew McIntyre’s appearance as the WWE Champion in Glasgow, Scotland, and plugged his upcoming appearance on SmackDown. 

Otis and Tozawa approached Jey Uso backstage. Otis asked Jey for a tag title shot. Jey didn’t seem to be taking it seriously until Otis got in his face. Jey realized he was serious, so he said he would talk to Jimmy. However, he warned them they would be standing in the ring with the best tag team in the game. Tozawa said Yeet. 

Bronson Reed & Austin Theory (w/ Paul Heyman & Logan Paul) vs. Penta & Dragon Lee

Penta was all over Theory, but took too much time posing, so Theory just dropped him with a boot. Reed tagged in, but Penta and Dragon Lee worked together to take him down. Dragon hit a dropkick in the corner, but Reed emphatically kicked out at one. 

Reed caught Dragon’s flying crossbody attempt and slammed him. After Dragon spilled out of the ring, Theory (not the legal man) decked him right in front of the referee. (The babyfaces are always stopped from getting involved when they aren’t legal, but the heels get away with it.) 

Dragon Lee hit Reed with a DDT after a break, and Penta made the hot tag, hitting Theory with a backstabber for two. Dragon and Penta handed out superkicks to everyone, including Logan Paul. Dragon then wiped out Logan and Theory with a flip dive. 

As Dragon Lee posed outside the ring, Bron Breakker ran down and speared him for the DQ. Penta invited Bron into the ring, so Bron jumped in and speared him, too. 

Bron was about to kill Dragon Lee with a running spear outside the ring, but Pearce suddenly got in his face. As Pearce admonished Bron, Reed laid out Penta with a Tsunami in the background (this was shot well by the cameraperson). 

Pearce popped into the ring to get in Reed’s face, but that allowed Bron to spear Dragon Lee. 

Pearce flung Bron around by his shoulder and told him he was sick of this shit. Bron aggressively grabbed Pearce and shoved him into the corner. Bron screamed at Pearce as the rest of the Vision held him back. Pearce yelled at Heyman and Vision to get Bron out of here. 

Match result: Dragon Lee & Penta defeated Bronson Reed & Austin Theory via disqualification (9:27) 

(This match was a waste of time, but Bron came across well in the post-match.) 

Medical staff checked on Penta and Dragon Lee backstage. Je’Von Evans approached and told them to let him know if they needed anything. 

Pearce found Bron backstage and kept screaming at him. Pearce suspended him indefinitely. Bron got in Pearce’s face, but Reed pulled him away. Heyman told Pearce just made a big mistake. Heyman reminded Pearce that he was the one who put his hands on Bron first. 

********

There was a WrestleMania commercial with Triple H. He received video calls from Peyton Manning, Jon Bernthal, Pete Davidson, Eric André, IShowSpeed, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lil Yachty, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Tony Hinchcliffe, Cam Skattebo, and Travis Barker. They all tried pitching WrestleMania ideas involving themselves, which stressed out Triple H. 

Among the comedy here was Hinchcliffe suggesting he win the Women’s title, and André calling Triple H a sissy. 

********

Next week on Raw in Belfast (3 pm ET/12 pm PT start time): 

  • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental title 
  • CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor for the World Heavyweight title 

There was an Oba Femi video package and a plug for NXT. 

******** 

Redmond interviewed Gunther. He called Styles disrespectful for smacking him in the face over something he had no involvement in. It was disrespectful to do that to the best wrestler in this company, and disrespectful to do that to the man who made Cena tap out like a little bitch. If Gunther could do that to the so-called greatest of all time, Styles should be worried about what happens to him after the bell rings. (If you don’t watch regularly, Gunther gets a lot of heat the second he mentions tapping out Cena.)

Gunther vs. AJ Styles 

Styles was all over Gunther early on, and he targeted Gunther’s leg with a series of kicks. Gunther slammed Styles on the apron, but Styles fought back with a sliding knee strike. Gunther cut off Styles again with a clothesline in the ring, but Styles kept fighting back until Gunther chopped him off the top rope. 

Gunther held control through a break and continued with chops following the break. Styles tried firing back with strikes, but Gunther decked him with a clothesline. There were dueling chants until Gunther did the ‘you can’t see me’ gesture. The hesitation allowed Styles to mount a comeback, and he hit three consecutive dragon screws (again targeting the leg). 

Styles avoided a clothesline and hit a Pelé kick. Styles applied the Calf Crusher, but Gunther got a rope break. Styles went to the apron and hit a forearm, but he ‘slipped’ on whatever he tried next, so Gunther chopped him. Gunther tried applying a sleeper, but Styles wrenched his leg in the ropes. 

Styles hit a springboard somersault leg drop to the leg of Gunther for two. (That was cool, and came completely out of nowhere.) Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Gunther dodged it, and they traded counters until Gunther hit a clothesline and powerbomb for two. 

They traded strikes and chops until Styles applied the Calf Crusher again, but Gunther escaped by smashing Styles’ head against the mat. Gunther popped up and hit a shotgun dropkick, but Styles again managed to apply the Calf Crusher. 

Styles suddenly let go and told the referee to raise his hand, claiming that Gunther tapped out. Styles motioned as though Gunther submitted by tapping his (Styles’) leg, but the referee had no idea what he was talking about, and he told the ring announcer, Alicia Taylor, that the match would continue. 

Styles was pissed, but went after Gunther. The ref was in the middle of talking to Taylor, so Gunther gave Styles a low blow. Gunther followed with a powerbomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Gunther defeated AJ Styles (17:53)

This was an excellent match until the finish. They showed a replay to explain what happened, and Wade Barrett suggested that Gunther tapped on purpose, knowing that the referee wouldn’t see it, and that Styles would let go. Styles looked like a goof for letting go despite a call not being made, so the follow-up will be important. I’m sure the fans will be into the Calf Crusher when they do the inevitable rematch, which was ultimately the point. 

New Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned on WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New Women’s Tag Team Champions were crowned on Raw.

IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley defeated The Kabuki Warriors (IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) in the opening match of Monday’s show to become the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. The finish had Ripley hitting the riptide and IYO hitting the over the moonsault on Asuka, with Ripley covering for the win. With the win, IYO has won her third WWE Women’s Tag Team title while Ripley has earned her second.

The two teams have been feuding for the last several months after the Kabuki Warriors turned against IYO, their former friend. They first squared off at Crown Jewel back in November, with SKY & Ripley scoring the win. Despite this, the Kabuki Warriors continued to target the duo, including Asuka misting both women at one point.

In the weeks leading up to tonight’s title match, other teams signaled that they wanted a shot at the titles as well, including Lash Legend & Nia Jax and former champions Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss. All four teams squared off in an eight-person tag team match on SmackDown, with Ripley, SKY, Bliss, and Flair scoring the win.

Women’s Tag Team title match set for first WWE Raw of 2026

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match for the Women’s Tag Team titles is set for the first Raw of the new year.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the Kabuki Warriors would be defending the titles against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. The two teams have been feuding for the last few months after Asuka and Kairi Sane turned their backs on former friend SKY.

An angle took place on Raw further continuing the tensions. As Ripley and SKY made their way to the ring, they were ambushed by Asuka, who misted Ripley through the crowd. Sane then took out SKY as the Kabuki Warriors looked to take out Ripley with Sane’s Insane Elbow. Right as Sane launched off, SKY covered Ripley, taking the hit for her friend.

The two teams previously battled at Crown Jewel back in October, with Sky and Ripley picking up the win in Ripley’s home country of Australia.

WWE Raw (January 6)

  • World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk defends against Bron Breakker
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team titles: The Kabuki Warriors defend against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY

AJ Lee forces ex-champion to tap, wins Women’s WarGames at Survivor Series 2025

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AJ Lee has secured the victory for her team at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025.

In the first match of the night at Petco Park in San Diego, California, fans witnessed one of the best women’s matches in recent memory. In only her second bout in almost a decade, AJ Lee trapped Becky Lynch in the Black Widow, forcing her to tap out and sealing the win in a match lasting nearly 41-minutes.

The match also featured several violent moments, which is common in a steel cage environment. All six women pushed each other to their absolute limits. Nia Jax and Lash Legend brutally powerbombed Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair against the cage, while later in the match, Asuka fired friendly shots as she accidentally misted Legend with poison mist, taking her out of the action for the remainder of the bout.

In the final moments, IYO Sky performed her iconic trash can dive from the top of the cage onto four other women, opening the opening Lee needed. AJ Lee then swiftly locked in the Black Widow on Becky Lynch to secure the victory.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 results

Here is the updated match card for WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025:

  • Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and AJ Lee defeated Nia Jax, Lash Legend, The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane), and Becky Lynch – Women’s WarGames match
  • John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio – WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella – WWE Women’s World Championship
  • CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), and Roman Reigns vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed), Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and Brock Lesnar – Men’s WarGames match