WWE SmackDown: Two Women's Titles on the Line and Elimination Chamber Qualifiers on Syfy

On February 13, 2026, WWE SmackDown aired on Syfy. Jade Cargill defended her Women's Championship, and Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY defended their Tag Team Titles. There were also important matches to get into the Elimination Chamber.
By Newsroom | WWE, Wrestling |

The February 13, 2026, broadcast of WWE SmackDown featured significant developments regarding its Women's Championship contests. Two title matches were scheduled: the WWE Women's Championship and the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Additionally, several matches took place to qualify participants for the upcoming Elimination Chamber event, a key fixture in the WWE calendar. The broadcast was notable for its airing on Syfy, a deviation from its usual home on the USA Network due to the Winter Olympics coverage.

Event Overview

The WWE SmackDown episode on February 13, 2026, presented a card heavy with championship action and crucial qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber.

  • WWE Women's Championship Match: Jade Cargill was set to defend her title against Jordynne Grace.

  • WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match: The reigning champions, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY (collectively known as RHIYO), were scheduled to face the challenge of Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

  • Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches: The event included several contests to determine entrants for the Elimination Chamber bouts. Notably, Alexa Bliss was involved in a Women's Elimination Chamber qualifier, and Cody Rhodes was slated for a Men's Elimination Chamber qualifier.

Read More: SMACKDOWN SHOCKER: Who's REALLY Controlling the Chamber Chaos?

The show's broadcast details indicated a shift in its usual platform:

  • US Broadcast: Aired on Syfy.

  • International Broadcast: Available on Netflix.

Championship Match Details

The scheduled championship matches on February 13, 2026, set the stage for significant shifts in the women's division landscape.

WWE Women's Championship

Jade Cargill defended her WWE Women's Championship against Jordynne Grace. Reports indicate that the match involved intricate maneuvers, with Giulia also featuring in the storyline surrounding this championship.

  • Evidence: Article 4 mentions "WWE Women’s Championship Match: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Zelina." Article 11 states, "Jade Cargill defends WWE Women's Championship against Jordynne Grace." Article 12 mentions Jade Cargill appearing on the show. Article 14 details a previous Women's Championship match where Tiffany Stratton defended against Jade Cargill and Nia Jax.

WWE Women's Tag Team Championship

The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship was contested between the champions, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY (RHIYO), and their challengers, Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

Read More: Fans Talk About AJ Styles vs. MJF Match

  • Evidence: Article 2 lists the match as "WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: RHIYO (Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY) defends against Nia Jax and Lash Legend." Article 13 describes the match as ending in a "double count-out as they kept fighting on the outside." Article 7 includes details of action during the match, mentioning "LASH LEGEND BREAKS IT UP!" and "Jax cuts her off with an elbow to the kidneys!"

The road to the Elimination Chamber was a central theme, with several wrestlers competing for a chance to participate in the marquee event.

WWE SmackDown Results – 2/13/26 (Women’s Championship matches) - Wrestleview.com - 1

Women's Elimination Chamber Qualifiers

Alexa Bliss and Zelina Vega were reportedly involved in matches to qualify for the Women's Elimination Chamber. A Women's Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match was specifically mentioned, featuring Giulia, Alexa Bliss, and Zelina Vega.

Read More: AEW Grand Slam Australia: Big Matches and Questions Remain

  • Evidence: Article 2 mentions "Alexa Bliss vs." for a Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. Article 11 lists "Alexa Bliss vs. Zelina | Women's Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match" and details that "Women's United States Champion Giulia, Alexa Bliss and Zelina will collide in an Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match." Article 7 reports a backstage segment where "Charlotte rolls up on Alexa backstage and apologizes and Bliss says she didn’t eliminate her, Nia Jax did." Article 10 describes action within a match involving Giulia, Zelina, and Alexa Bliss, including "Bliss sets up for Twisted Bliss on Giulia" and "Bliss lands a shotgun basement dropkick on Giulia."

Men's Elimination Chamber Qualifiers

Cody Rhodes and Trick Williams were advertised for a Men's Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. Sami Zayn was also slated to compete in an Elimination Chamber Qualifier.

  • Evidence: Article 2 lists "Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Trick Williams." Article 11 features "Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn | Men's Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match." Article 1 mentions Sami Zayn being told that "he owes Ilja Dragunov a match" and that "next week, he will qualify for the Elimination Chamber."

Post-Match Developments and Conflicts

Several incidents occurred during and after the championship and qualifying matches, adding layers of conflict and intrigue.

Backstage Interactions and Accusations

A notable backstage interaction involved Alexa Bliss and Charlotte. Bliss stated that Nia Jax, not Charlotte, was responsible for her elimination from a prior event, indicating a developing rivalry.

  • Evidence: Article 7 states, "Charlotte rolls up on Alexa backstage and apologizes and Bliss says she didn’t eliminate her, Nia Jax did."

Championship Match Outcomes

The outcome of the Women's Tag Team Championship match resulted in a double count-out, leaving the titles' status ambiguous and suggesting further confrontation.

  • Evidence: Article 13 states, "WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match: Rhiyo (Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky) (c) vs Lash Legend & Nia Jax was a double count-out as they kept fighting on the outside."

Expert Analysis and Commentary

Analysis of the events on February 13, 2026, highlights the strategic positioning of wrestlers for the Elimination Chamber and the ongoing narratives within the women's division.

  • The dual-threat nature of the Elimination Chamber, with both men's and women's matches, creates a complex pathway for qualification, impacting multiple divisions simultaneously.

  • The unresolved finish to the Women's Tag Team Championship match suggests that the rivalry between RHIYO, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend is far from over.

  • The focus on Elimination Chamber qualifiers underscores the importance of these matches in shaping the championship landscape leading into the event.

Conclusion and Implications

The February 13, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown served as a pivotal point for the women's division, featuring critical championship defenses and crucial steps toward the Elimination Chamber. The WWE Women's Championship match between Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace was a high-profile contest. The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match between RHIYO and Nia Jax & Lash Legend concluded in a double count-out, leaving the championship picture in a state of flux and implying a continuation of this rivalry. The various Elimination Chamber qualifying matches, including those involving Alexa Bliss, Zelina Vega, Giulia, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn, advanced the storylines leading to the major event. The broadcast's placement on Syfy, while temporary, highlights the dynamic scheduling within WWE's broadcast partnerships.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What were the main matches on WWE SmackDown on February 13, 2026?
Jade Cargill defended her WWE Women's Championship, and Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY defended their WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. There were also matches to qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
Q: Why did SmackDown air on Syfy?
SmackDown usually airs on the USA Network, but it was on Syfy because of the Winter Olympics coverage.
Q: Who was involved in the Women's Elimination Chamber qualifying matches?
Alexa Bliss, Zelina Vega, and Giulia were in a match to try and get into the Women's Elimination Chamber.
Q: How did the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match end?
The match between RHIYO and Nia Jax & Lash Legend ended in a double count-out, meaning the titles did not change hands but the fight is not over.