Smackdown results: Solo Sikoa returns, Drew McIntyre among new Elimination Chamber entrants

February 7, 2025 Jack Wannan NEWS, Show Reports
Image Credit: WWE

Just under a week removed from the 2025 Royal Rumble, Friday Night Smackdown returned for an episode from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

This week’s episode from the blue brand included a mix of Rumble fall-out and planning for the upcoming Elimination Chamber PLE. As some segments saw Rumble winners ponder how they might use their Mania title shot, Chamber qualifying matches during the evening started the road to a possible Mania moment for others.

Here’s a recap of everything that went down on this week’s Smackdown.

Results

  1. Bianca Belair def. Piper Niven (Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match) (8:05)
  2. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) def. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) (5:09)
  3. Drew McIntyre def. Jimmy Uso & LA Knight (Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match) (Triple Threat) (15:15)
  4. Carmelo Hayes def. Akira Tozawa (7:33)
  5. Alexa Bliss def. Candice LeRae (Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match) (10:40)
  6. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso def. Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga (11:04)

Rumble winner Jey Uso weighs his options

After showing some backstage wrestler arrivals and a quick montage of last weekend’s Royal Rumble, this week’s Smackdown opened with 2025 Men’s Rumble winner Jey Uso. “Main Event” Uso entered Friday night still pondering whether he would use his Rumble victory on a Wrestlemania match against Raw’s Gunther or Smackdown’s Cody Rhodes.

Uso had a potential match with Gunther to consider on Monday when he had a face-to-face meeting with the Austrian champ. To see his other option, he invited WWE Champion Rhodes out Rhodes for a meeting. Rhodes came down to the ring and made it clear he was on good terms with Uso, hugging him before they started speaking.

Uso laid out his options: “I can stand across from you on the grandest stage of them all, Wrestlemania. That’ll mean a lot to me. Or, I can stand next to you. You still WWE champ, and me new World Heavyweight Champion.”

Rhodes emphasized that it’s Uso’s choice to make, but warned they’d have to go from friends to rivals if matched for Wrestlemania. “If you choose me, let’s make a memory here in Memphis. Let’s have some fun because it’ll be the last time.”

As Uso and Rhodes shook hands, their segment was interrupted by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. A concerned Uso and Rhodes dropped their mics, readying themselves for a squabble.

Fatu said that his family needs the WWE Championship back. He then mentioned that if anyone in the family could earn the title, it certainly wouldn’t be Uso.

Fatu’s few comments were enough to enrage Uso, who kicked off a brawl. While it seemed as if Fatu was going to end the fight with the upper hand, he ended up retreating alongside Tonga after eating a Superkick and Cody-Cutter.

After a commercial break, it was confirmed that Rhodes and Uso would team up to face Tonga and Fatu later in the night.

Bianca Belair punches ticket to Toronto

In the first of many Elimination Chamber qualifying matches set for this card, Piper Niven met WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair.

Niven grabbed onto Belair’s long braid early in the match, using the hair to set up for a clothesline. The match spilled to the outside just 90 seconds in, allowing Niven to score with a hard cross body against the ring and then a running senton before a commercial break.

Belair started to mount a comeback as the broadcast was in commercials, hitting a crossbody off the top rope right as the show returned for a near fall. She then tried for the KOD, a move she teased looking for many times in the match, but once again was stopped by Niven.

Niven connected with a senton in the corner. After a series of reversals, Niven came off the second rope with a frogsplash, seemingly closing in on a win. Belair escaped a move from Niven, kicked her head into the ring post during a sequence on the apron, then lifted up Niven and connected with the KOD. Belair is the first Smackdown addition to the women’s Elimination Chamber.

Backstage, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter were seen talking to Nick Aldis – it looks like they’re coming over to Smackdown. Their conversation was cut short by Carmelo Hayes, who was summoned into the office by Aldis.

Aldis told Hayes that he had been booked for a match against a Raw roster member. It was then revealed that he would face Akira Tozawa, as Hayes attacked him at the Royal Rumble last weekend and prevented him from appearing in the men’s match. Hayes, now knowing who he would face, didn’t seem too bothered about the assignment.

#DIY find their next title challengers

A trailer aired for WWE’s Legends & Future Greats (LFG), which will premiere on Sunday night on A&E.

Back in the ring, WWE Tag Team Champions Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa came out to reflect on their Rumble win over the Motor City Machine Guns.

Flaunting how MCMG might never hold the tag titles, they asked the Memphis crowd for a moment of silence. The not-so-silent moment was interrupted by Pretty Deadly.

Pretty Deadly came out to provide a polite reminder that they have helped #DIY’s title run. Smackdown GM Aldis came out and said Pretty Deadly didn’t “deserve” a title shot, but said they could fight for one. The GM booked an impromptu match between Pretty Deadly and MCMG, with a win earning Kit Wilson and Elton Prince a future title shot. This was an issue for Gargano and Ciampa, who weren’t dressed to wrestle.

#DIY attempted to leave but got dragged back into the ring by Pretty Deadly to start the match during a commercial break.

In t-shirts, jeans and outdoor shoes, #DIY had a strong start to the match. However, just after the show returned from a break, Wilson came into the match with a hot tag. Pretty Deadly hit a double-team Codebreaker for a two-count.

Just past the five-minute mark in the match, Ciampa attempted a roll-up pin on Prince while holding the ropes. Wilson pushed Ciampa, allowing Prince to reverse the exchange into a roll-up pin of his own. While clutching the ropes just like how Ciampa did, Pretty Deadly scored a pinfall win and earned a future title shot.

Knight, McIntyre, Uso trade punchlines before qualifier match

The Miz was seen backstage pitching a partnership between him and Andrade. After failing to win over Andrade, he stopped Cody Rhodes and said he has the champ’s back. “Miz, I don’t need you to have my back.”

The sole men’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match of the night saw Jimmy Uso, LA Knight, and Smackdown’s newest member, Drew McIntyre, face off in a triple threat. It was noted before the match that CM Punk and John Cena have already been confirmed for the Chamber bout.

McIntyre got on the mic before the bout kicked off, explaining why he moved to Smackdown. “Raw is a toxic workplace,” he claimed. He then said that he’s on the brand to go after Rhodes and his WWE Championship. Before he could delve into further detail, Jimmy Uso came to the ring.

Uso claimed that McIntyre was living in the past. This didn’t bother McIntyre, who took a dig at Jimmy by accidentally calling him Jey. “Maybe you would be where he’s [Jey] at now if you just said ‘Yeet’ first.”

After Jimmy cut another promo, it was LA Knight’s turn. Knight said he wanted to speak to the men and boys watching, saying that it doesn’t make you any less of a man to cry. “But with that said, there is a line where it becomes too much.” He then mocked McIntyre for “crying like a damn baby.”

Drew McIntyre starts Smackdown run with a bang

After battling on the mic, the trio started their match.

McIntyre, the sole heel in the match, was double-teamed by Knight and Uso to kick off the bout. However, as the bout returned from a commercial break, the informal babyface alliance fell apart.

The match went near the commentary desk just before a break, allowing Knight the spotlight of bashing his opponents’ heads into the table. McIntyre responded to “We want tables” chants by pulling a table out from under the ring, only to place it back. The crowd didn’t like that.

McIntyre and Uso were battling while on the top turnbuckle as the match returned. Knight jumped to the top but then found both him and Uso German Superplexed by McIntyre. After a few reversals, Knight hit a DDT onto McIntyre. He came off the top for an elbow drop, although the follow-up pin was broken up by Uso.

Knight had a BFT on Uso stopped. Knight was thrown into McIntyre, who hit a spinebuster for a two-count. McIntyre scored a neckbreaker on Uso, then set up for his Claymore Kick. However, when he came charging in for a kick, he was hit with a Superkick from Uso.

Uso threw McIntyre out of the ring as Knight got back into the mix. Uso gave Knight a superkick then went to the top rope for a frogsplash. He went for a pin after the move, but McIntyre pulled the ref out of the ring to stop the count. Uso went after McIntyre out of the ring, superkicking him onto the commentary table.

Uso went back to the top rope for another splash, but Knight put his knees up to counter. Knight tried for a pin after, but Uso kicked out. Knight went for a BFT on Uso but took a Claymore Kick from behind by McIntyre at the same time. This crafty sequence earned McIntyre a win in 15 minutes and secured him a spot at the Elimination Chamber.

Backstage, Damian Priest was asked for his reaction to the match. Priest said he was looking forward to eliminating McIntyre at the Chamber. Braun Strowman interrupted him, saying Priest is getting ahead of himself, as he hasn’t even qualified for the Chamber match yet.

Priest, Strowman, and Jacob Fatu are expected to meet in a triple threat qualifier next week on Smackdown.

Kevin Owens says Sami Zayn betrayed him

A recap of Kevin Owens’ attack on Sami Zayn from Monday Night Raw aired. A promo from Owens, which was posted on social media earlier on Friday evening, was shown after. In the promo, Owens explained that he blames Zayn for the pain he suffered in a ladder match against Cody Rhodes. “Sami, you stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career.”

The broadcast team said that Owens’ attack on Zayn on Monday has put him out indefinitely due to nerve damage.

Carmelo Hayes ends lengthy losing streak

The previously mentioned singles match between Carmelo Hayes and Akira Tozawa was next. Hayes got some cheap heat before the match by taking a dig at Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant.

Tozawa had a hot start to the match, although Hayes found himself in control as the bout settled down.

Tozawa started to make a comeback five minutes in, getting some moves in against Hayes. After ripping off his shirt, Tozawa met Hayes at the top rope. Tozawa came out of the corner with a powerbomb for a near fall.

The wrestlers exchanged roll-up pin attempts. Hayes hit a clothesline then a DDT off the ropes. Hayes then went flying off the top to hit Nothing But Net, earning the former NXT champ his first win in 2025.

After airing a video package showing the Seth Rollins attack on Roman Reigns during the 2025 Men’s Rumble, the commentary team said they haven’t heard an update on the former champ’s status from Paul Heyman yet.

Backstage, R-Truth was seen assisting Tozawa. He dropped Tozawa after seeing that Jey Uso was nearby. R-Truth was under the impression that Uso won King of the Ring.

Cody Rhodes checked on Uso, asking what he wanted to do at Wrestlemania. Uso remained undecided.

Memphis’ own Jerry Lawler was shown at ringside.

Charlotte Flair puts Mania pick on hold

2025 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair came to the ring for the next segment. Flair has been on a tour all week, appearing previously on Raw and NXT as she considers who she might face at Wrestlemania.

Flair asked whether the crowd will cheer or boo her. As she mentioned Tiffany Stratton, the WWE Women’s Champion herself came to the ring.

Stratton said that WWE has been riding a strong wave completely without Flair’s involvement. “Sweetheart, you speak when I say you could speak,” Flair replied.

Stratton says she has received Flair comparisons, and that she wants to beat her at Wrestlemania so that fans will stop saying that. Flair said Stratton was a child begging to be made a star by her. Toying with the champ, Flair asked Stratton to get on her knees and beg for the matchup.

Nia Jax, flanked by Candice LeRae, came to the ring to deliver some important news. Jax said Flair’s Mania opponent discussion may be premature for now, as she spoke to Nick Aldis and was granted a title rematch against Stratton for next week. Flair said she’ll be watching as the bout goes down on the 14th.

Alexa Bliss secures Elimination Chamber match

The final Elimination Chamber qualifying match of the night saw the returning Alexa Bliss take on Candice LeRae. The match was Bliss’ first singles appearance since she took on Bianca Belair at the 2023 Royal Rumble, just over two years ago.

It looked for a moment like Bliss could earn an early win, coming close to scoring the Sister Abigail just over a minute into the fight. LeRae had quite a bit of control during this match, leading into the commercial break with a spot that saw her throw Bliss onto the ring apron.

LeRae mocked Bliss during the break, at one point stomping out her Lilly doll. LeRae’s mean antics later fired Bliss up, causing her to go on a comeback run after eight minutes.

A competitive match between the two came to a sudden end after 10 minutes as LeRae found herself caught in the Abigail DDT, causing a pinfall victory for Bliss.

Backstage, Chelsea Green was interviewed ahead of her Elimination Chamber qualifier next week against Naomi. While Green mentioned her dreams of becoming a double champ, Michin, B-Fab and new Smackdown member Zelina Vega all came by to express interest in challenging for the women’s U.S. title. Green grilled Piper Niven for not giving her a bigger security detail.

A vignette featuring The Street Profits, who notably interfered in the tag title match at last weekend’s Rumble, aired.

Backstage, The Motor City Machine Guns reflected on their loss last weekend at the Rumble. After calling out The Street Profits and saying they nearly won in the recent title clash, Los Garza appeared and told them to move on. After MCMG nearly challenged them to a match, Santos Escobar, who leads Legado del Fantasma, told the duo to “be prepared” next week.

Solo Sikoa makes sudden return following main event

The makeshift team of Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso faced Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga to close out this week’s Smackdown.

Rhodes tried for a Cody Cutter just seconds into the match, but saw Fatu escape the move and then score a senton just before a commercial break. After being isolated for nearly five minutes by Fatu and Tonga, Rhodes tagged out and brought an energetic Uso into the ring.

While Uso was on a roll against Tonga, he ate a superkick from Fatu while the referee wasn’t looking. The kick wasn’t enough to put Uso away, although it brought momentum back in the favor of Tonga and Fatu.

Uso was able to tag in Rhodes, who faced off against Fatu. Rhodes connected with the Disaster Kick, then came off the top rope for a Cody Cutter. Fatu kicked out at one despite consuming the two big shots. Rhodes tried for the Cross-Rhodes, but Fatu escaped. Tonga sneakily tagged himself in while in the heel corner of the ring, allowing him to surprise Rhodes with an attack.

Rhodes climbed to the top rope but was pushed off by Fatu, who was outside the ring. Tonga secured a jumping DDT on Rhodes for a near fall. The heel duo both worked on Rhodes, although Uso interrupted a double-team attempt. Uso took out Fatu with a suicide dive, sending him over the announce desk. In the ring, Rhodes hit a Cross-Rhodes to win clean.

After the match, a man whose face was obscured by a black hoodie stormed the ring and hit Rhodes with a Samoan Spike. Moments later, it was revealed that it was the returning Solo Sikoa.

About Jack Wannan 612 Articles
Jack Wannan is a journalist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He writes and reports on professional wrestling, along with other topics like MMA, boxing, music, local news, and more. He graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He can be reached at [email protected]
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