G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
The latest episode of WWE SmackDown delivered high-octane action as the road to WrestleMania 41 took another dramatic turn. Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso opened the show, reflecting on his historic victory and hinting at a potential WrestleMania showdown with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. However, their discussion was cut short when Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga launched a brutal attack, igniting tensions that would later culminate in a tag team main event.
The night also saw several key Elimination Chamber qualifying matches, as superstars battled for a chance to compete inside the unforgiving structure. Bianca Belair secured her spot by overcoming the powerful Piper Niven. Despite struggling to execute the K.O.D., Belair displayed her resilience, ultimately lifting Niven and delivering her signature move for the victory.
Later in the night, Alexa Bliss made a triumphant return to singles competition after a two-year absence, defeating Candice LeRae with a decisive Sister Abigail to earn her place in the Chamber match. Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre made a statement on his SmackDown return, defeating LA Knight and Jimmy Uso in a Triple Threat Match to secure his own spot in the Chamber. McIntyre capitalized on the chaos, delivering a devastating Claymore to Knight and sealing his path to WrestleMania contention.
In the tag team division, Pretty Deadly shocked the WWE Universe by securing a controversial victory over WWE Tag Team Champions. After being denied a title shot, the duo capitalized on their opponents’ unpreparedness, with Elton Prince using the ropes for leverage to pin Tommaso Ciampa. This unexpected win raises questions about their championship aspirations moving forward.
Elsewhere, rising star Carmelo Hayes continued his momentum with a dominant victory over Akira Tozawa. Hayes, who previously ambushed Tozawa before the Royal Rumble, showcased his technical prowess and agility, securing the win with Nothing But Net. Meanwhile, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton confronted Charlotte Flair, demanding that Flair choose her for a WrestleMania showdown. The confrontation added fuel to the speculation surrounding Flair’s WrestleMania plans, as she remains a top contender following her Royal Rumble win.
The night culminated in a high-stakes tag team clash, as Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso sought revenge against Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. The intense battle saw Fatu’s raw power nearly overwhelm Rhodes, but a timely intervention by Uso shifted the momentum. Rhodes capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a thunderous Cross Rhodes to Tonga for the victory. The win solidified the duo’s dominance, but with WrestleMania looming, tensions between Uso and Rhodes remain unresolved.
With the Elimination Chamber shaping up and WrestleMania storylines taking center stage, SmackDown delivered a night filled with shocking moments, intense rivalries, and championship implications. As superstars continue to position themselves for the grandest stage of them all, the WWE Universe eagerly awaits the next chapter in this thrilling road to WrestleMania.
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