“WWE SmackDown” wrapped up February’s weekly shows on Friday, Feb. 27, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, serving as the final promotion for the Elimination Chamber. Championship titles were contested, and a last-minute change was made following Bronson Reed’s injury on Monday’s “Raw.”
Who Did It?
WWE enjoys a good mystery, and “SmackDown” delivered a classic whodunit moment when Jey Uso was discovered knocked out backstage. Usos’ removal from the Elimination Chamber match followed Reed’s torn bicep from Monday, who was initially slated to win his qualifier.
The first half focused heavily on the investigation, with numerous wrestlers speculating about the identity of the assailant. While the mystery remained unresolved, it unexpectedly set the stage for Jacob Fatu and Logan Paul to plead their cases, leading to an unplanned main event to take Uso’s place.
And New Champions!
The highlight of the evening saw the Women’s Tag Team Champions RHIYO lose their titles in a rematch against The Irresistible Forces. Rhea Ripley’s title loss was anticipated, allowing her to pursue Jade Cargill’s Women’s Championship afterward. Despite selling her injured back well, which provided a plausible reason for her defeat, the match overall was strong and opens avenues for new storylines.
Star of the Night
LA Knight and Trick Williams emerged as the standout duo of the night, showcasing charisma reminiscent of The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. WWE could harness the upcoming Elimination Chamber to develop a significant championship feud, though history suggests they may not capitalize on it. Their initial interaction certainly sparked excitement, hinting at potential magic together.
Meanwhile, WWE teased further rivalry layers between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, while also hinting at developments in Orton’s conflict with Aleister Black, alongside Sami Zayn’s ongoing struggles. There’s plenty of untapped potential in these storylines, which await the right moments to unfold.
Dominating Performance
Oba Femi continued his impressive run by decisively defeating The Miz in a match that echoed his previous squash against Kit Wilson. WWE’s strategy of spotlighting rising stars by having them face recognizable names boosts Femi’s profile, while also showcasing his skills on the mic before his matches. Overwhelming a former world champion adds significant credibility to his character.
This week’s “SmackDown” in Louisville fell in the average range, leaving many questions leading into Saturday’s Elimination Chamber. The crown score for this show is: 👑 5/10 👑
WWE SmackDown Full Card Results:
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Logan Paul def. Jacob Fatu
- Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) def. RHIYO (Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky) (c.)
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Jordynne Grace def. Candice Lerae
- U.S. Championship: Carmelo Hayes (c.) def. Matt Cardona
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Tiffany Stratton def. Kairi Sane
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Uncle Howdy def. Solo Sikoa
