Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for February 27, 2026

The show begins with "Main Event' Jey Uso being put in an ambulance , with Jacob Fatu joining him at the ambulance while demanding whoever did this be found out. Trick Williams shows up, saying "one down, four to go," and Je'Von Evans confronts him for this. As this goes on, Drew McIntyre shows up in the crowd and says he had nothing to do with what happened to Jey Uso. He says that he tells the truth all the time, yet he is guilty until proven innocent. He also mentions that he is outlawed on his own show and has to buy a luxury box to be on his own show, and says he should be able to do what he wants, when he wants, so he does. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and tells Drew to head to his office, as there are twenty men who want to rip his head off. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up soon after, and says that he and Drew can fight right here, right now. Drew says that does not benefit him as the champion, then says he will leave because Aldis told him to. Cody Rhodes then tells Drew he has spent his entire championship reign running like a little bitch, then Randy Orton shows up. Orton says he will win in the Elimination Chamber, beat McIntyre and become a fifteen-time world champion, but as he speaks to Cody, Trick Williams shows up. Trick says he is the hottest thing in the business today, then Je'Von Evans shows up, smacks Trick in the back of the head, and says he will be the youngest world champion and beat Orton's record. LA Knight shows up and says he hears a lot of big talk and empty promises, and at the end of the day, there are 24 hours until Elimination Chamber, and everyone belongs to him. He also says that when it comes to him and McIntyre, the WWE Championship is also his. Trick Williams interrupts LA Knight only to get punched int he face, and the two of them brawl to the back. Orton then hits Je'Von with an RKO out of nowhere before leaving the ring.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Tiffany Stratton. Tiffany says that what happened to "Main Event" Jey Uso, but the women's locker room knows better than to mess with her right now. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) show up, and Asuka says Tiffy Time is over and that nobody is ready for her. Tiffany says she is ready for Asuka in an attempt to get Asuka to put her money where her mouth is. Kairi Sane then grabs at Tiffany's dress, asks her if she is a jellyfish, then gets yelled at by Asuka and leaves.

Uncle Howdy beats Solo Sikoa with Sister Abigail as Solo goes for a third hip attack in the corner. After the match, Uncle Howdy takes back his lantern, but he is attacked from behind by the rest of The MFT's (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo), who take the lantern back again as they leave through the crowd. The Wyatt Sicks (Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) arrive, but they are too late.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis tells Drew McIntyre to stay home and stay out of trouble. Drew says the two of them need to be on the same page before leaving while The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) arrives. Heyman says he wants to help Aldis by replacing Jey Uso in the Elimination Chamber match with Logan Paul. Logan says that he is the most important guy in WWE and that he is going to win, and Aldis finds it convenient that he sees Paul Heyman after the attack on "Main Event" Jey Uso, but Heyman says he is just trying to help Aldis out of a tough situation. Aldis finds this interesting, but mentions there is a lot of politicking involved and that he will have to make some calls.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Rhea says she has to take everything one step at a time, and tonight is about retaining the Women's Tag Team Championships. Iyo says they have no doubt that they will win and that Rhea will become WWE Women's Champion. Rhea says they are on the same page and have each other's back, but Jade Cargill shows up and says that nobody will have Iyo's back in the Elimination Chamber. She tells Rhea and Iyo not to hurt themselves before tomorrow night.

Backstage, Jacob Fatu meets with General Manager Nick Aldis, saying that Aldis has a Drew McIntyre and that he has a problem with Drew McIntyre, and wants in the Elimination Chamber match so he can win it, walk out to WrestleMania and beat Drew McIntyre. Aldis says he will take this under consideration as he makes some phone calls.

Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre guest on commentary for the next match. Jelly Roll is seen in the front row.

Before the next match, Asuka says she is smart and that she is resting before the Elimination Chamber, and that Tiffany Stratton will be facing Kairi Sane. Asuka says it is Kairi Time, not Tiffy Time.

Tiffany Stratton beats Kairi Sane after Tiffany Stratton shoves Kairi Sane off the top rope and into Alba Fyre before diving off the ring apron. Shortly after this, Kairi dives at Tiffany from the ring apron, but inadvertently takes out Chelsea Green as she argues with Tiffany Stratton, who avoids the dive so that Kairi wipes Chelsea out.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with The Vision ("The Oracle" Paul Heyman, Logan Paul, Austin Theory) in his office. He announces that Logan Paul will get his opportunity to compete in the Elimination Chamber, but only if he is victorious in a match against Jacob Fatu. Heyman takes exception to this, but Logan is confident he can win.

Oba Femi beats The Miz. During the match, The Miz tells Oba Femi they do not have to fight. Oba says Miz likes to talk, but Miz says nobody wants this match. He says that this is a misunderstanding, and wants to use this as a teachable moment. He says that he did not go after the locker room leaders when he started, then says that he wants to be the one to guide Oba. Oba has none of it, and tells Miz that he is dying tonight. Miz declares that he will use the opportunity to be the better man and walk away, but Oba grabs him. Miz strikes Oba, but all it does is make Oba angry and absolutely destroy him. The match ends with Oba blocking the Skull Crushing Finale before tossing Miz and hitting him with the Fall From Grace for the win.

Backstage, Carmelo Hayes sees Ilja Dragunov, who is still in his suit. Dragunov says that he does not deserve a shot at the United States Championship at this time and tells Carmelo to win tonight, but Carmelo tells Dragunov to give himself the pep talk, not him. He tells Dragunov to remind himself of who he is, and tells him that if he does not take this shot, somebody else will.

Carmelo Hayes' opponent for the United States Open Challenge is revealed to be Matt Cardona.

Carmelo Hayes retains the WWE United States Championship against Matt Cardona.

The SmackDown locker room is near the giant create, and R-Truth says everyone has to wait until tomorrow to see what is in it before telling everyone how to watch Elimination Chamber on the ESPN app. All of a sudden, Candice LeRae is seen pushing Johnny Gargano on a crate. As everyone laughs at Gargano, Kit Wilson shows up and calls everyone toxic for laughing. Everyone keeps laughing.

Jordynne Grace beats Candice LeRae after Candice is distracted by Johnny Gargano getting up from the announce table and leaving.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Raquel Rodriguez. Raquel saying being champion of both brands will prove that The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez) rules WWE. As she says that she is focusing on doing what it takes to win tonight, Cargill shows up and says Raquel should focus on herself. She says that Stephanie Vaquer was not interested in Raquel, but at the same time, Vaquer set her up. Raquel says she will see Cargill soon, then leaves. Michin and B-Fab then show up and make it known that they want her title, as does everyone else. Cargill dares Michin to do something, but B-Fab stops Michin, telling her she will get her chance.

Backstage, Jacob Fatu is met by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, who hopes to see Jacob in the Elimination Chamber. Cody runs into Sami Zayn, and both men shake hands. Sami meets with Jacob and asks how "Main Event" Jey Uso is doing, but he is not convinced that Jacob did not attack Jey, as he leaves chaos in his wake trying to get to Drew McIntyre and that he was not there at first when Jey went down. Jacob tells Sami to be careful what he says next, and Sami tells Jacob that he wants to get his hands on Drew McIntyre, saying McIntyre screwed him. Jacob reminds Sami that he was the only one not to eat the Claymore, and that McIntyre wanted him in the Elimination Chamber. Sami apologizes, saying his head has not been on straight, then tells Jacob he deserves a second chance and tells him to win it for Jey. Jacob leaves, then Sami becomes angry with himself again.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend (now known as "The Irresistible Forces") beat Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships after Rhea hits Nia with Riptide only for Lash to hit Rhea with the Lash Extension.

Backstage, Charlotte Flair is eating three pints of ice cream as Alexa Bliss joins her. Charlotte says that everything is fine as Alexa Bliss is going to Elimination Chamber, despite Nia Jax and Lash Legend becoming women's tag team champions. Kiana James and Giulia show up and says this is not fine while defending Giulia yelling at Alexa last week, saying she is just passionate. Jade Cargill shows up and wishes everyone luck.

Backstage, The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo)show up, wanting something done about The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) from General Manager Nick Aldis. Aldis says that The MFT's, not The Wyatt Sicks, are the problem in this care, then states that the WWE Tag Team Championships are not being defended enough for his liking and announces that new #1 contenders will be decided for the WWE Tag Team Championships next week.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend). Nia Jax wishes anyone who wants to take their titles away luck, and Lash Legend says this is the first of many titles before the two of them head to Elimination Chamber.

We see a video package of CM Punk in Chicago, Illinois before Elimination Chamber.

Backstage, Randy Orton is met by Aleister Black and Zelina Vega. Aleister wonders if the Black Mass woke up something inside Orton, as does Zelina Vega, and hopes that he utilizes it well. Orton says he does not know what goes in his head half the time, but he has a switch that he can flip at anytime and that Aleister should be careful what he wishes for. Orton then says he will see Aleister after Elimination Chamber and leaves. Aleister says he knows, because he and Zelina planned it that way.

Logan Paul beats Jacob Fatu in an Elimination Chamber qualifier. During the match, the mystery masked man shows up and attacks Theory, but Logan Paul lays him out and unmasks him to reveal a random man behind the mask. As the random man is taken to the back by security, Logan gets back in the ring and runs into a pop-up Samoan Drop by Jacob Fatu. Jacob goes to the top rope, but is smacked in the face with the WWE Championship by Drew McIntyre. That allows Logan Paul to get the pin and the win.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!