WWE SmackDown Preview: February 20, 2026 – Road to Elimination Chamber Heats Up

Joey Wood
5 minutes ago
2 min read

SmackDown’s focus this week is squarely on Elimination Chamber qualifying action, with both the men’s and women’s divisions featuring triple‑threat bouts that could reshape the WrestleMania landscape. On the men’s side, Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest collide in a high‑stakes matchup where the winner punches their ticket into the Chamber in Chicago and punches above their weight on the blue brand. This bout has narrative tension built in — Williams is looking to build on his recent momentum and break out of the mid‑card pack, Priest brings hard‑earned veteran savvy, and Hayes’ championship status adds prestige and drama to the contest.

In the women’s division, Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, and Kiana James battle for the next qualifying spot. Each competitor brings a different edge: Flair’s legacy and experience make her an obvious favorite in big situations, Jax’s power and unpredictability give her dangerous upside, and James enters with something to prove as she seeks to elevate her status on SmackDown. With the Women’s Elimination Chamber match gradually taking shape — alongside already‑qualified names — tonight’s bout has real impact on the WrestleMania season’s hierarchy.

Outside of the qualifiers, the undercard features Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson, a singles bout born from a backstage altercation that underscores Femi’s dominant rise. Femi has been positioned as a force in recent weeks, and this matchup should serve to underline his momentum as SmackDown continues to build intriguing mid‑card storylines.

Beyond the announced matches, ongoing angles — from Drew McIntyre’s recent involvement with Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn to potential surprises tied to SmackDown’s crate mystery — hint at twists that could spill out backstage and in‑ring throughout the show. With SmackDown airing on SyFy this week due to Olympic coverage, tonight’s episode is one of the most consequential in February as WWE inches closer to the Elimination Chamber and cements key WrestleMania rivalries.