Sat Feb 07 04:00:00 UTC 2026: # SmackDown Recap: Rhodes Attacks McIntyre, Elimination Chamber Qualifiers Set

The Story:
Friday Night SmackDown on February 6, 2026, was packed with action, setting the stage for the upcoming Elimination Chamber event. The main event saw Cody Rhodes launch a surprise attack on Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, escalating their rivalry after McIntyre cost Rhodes a victory at the 2026 Royal Rumble. In Elimination Chamber Qualifying matches, Randy Orton and Tiffany Stratton secured their spots, while other matches saw title defenses and surprising upsets.

Key Points:

  • Randy Orton defeated Aleister Black and Solo Sikoa to qualify for the Elimination Chamber Match.
  • Tiffany Stratton defeated Chelsea Green and Lash Legend in a Triple Threat match to qualify for the Elimination Chamber Match.
  • Cody Rhodes attacked Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, declaring McIntyre wouldn’t make it to WrestleMania.
  • Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY retained their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against Giulia & Kiana James.
  • Carmelo Hayes defeated The Miz in a non-title match.
  • Tama Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura after interference from The MFTs.
  • Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defeated Jade Cargill & Jordynne Grace after Cargill accidentally kicked Grace.

Critical Analysis:
The attack by Cody Rhodes on Drew McIntyre signals a deeply personal feud, likely leading to a high-stakes match at WrestleMania. Rhodes’ declaration that McIntyre won’t make it to the show of shows adds significant fuel to the fire. The quick build to the Elimination Chamber with qualifying matches is a standard WWE booking practice, creating immediate stakes and storylines. The interference in the Tama Tonga match suggests a new faction or alliance is being formed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre is escalating rapidly, potentially becoming a main event feud.
  • The Elimination Chamber is shaping up with qualified contenders, adding anticipation for the event.
  • New alliances or factions are forming, injecting fresh dynamics into the SmackDown roster.
  • Champion vs. Champion dynamics are being explored in non-title matches (Hayes vs. Miz), setting up possible future title feuds.
  • The unexpected mistakes and miscommunications between tag team partners (Cargill & Grace, Morgan & Rodriguez) are planting seeds for future splits or rivalries.

Impact Analysis:
The events on SmackDown, particularly the Rhodes/McIntyre feud, have significant long-term implications. This rivalry could define the WrestleMania season. Furthermore, the establishment of Elimination Chamber contenders creates immediate excitement and structures the short-term booking. The emergence of Tama Tonga and the exploration of tag team dynamics lay the groundwork for developing new stars and storylines for months to come. The broadcast availability notes highlight the fragmentation of wrestling content across various streaming services, indicating a continued shift in how fans consume WWE programming.

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