The February 27 edition of Friday Night SmackDown will serve as the final episode ahead of the WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 premium live event.
There could be some major changes to the blue brand before this next PLE, with new stars arriving or even titles switching hands.
Considering all the possibilities with a nearly full lineup of matches and segments announced for the show, the February 27 SmackDown will offer some adjustments to the blue brand heading into the company going to Chicago.
Here are six potential changes to WWE SmackDown before Elimination Chamber 2026.
6. The Irresistible Forces Defeat RHIYO To Win The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
On the February 13 edition of SmackDown, RHIYO faced Nia Jax and Lash Legend for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, but the match did not have a decisive finish.
Both teams were counted out when a brawl broke out with IYO SKY putting Jax through a table at ringside, while Legend speared Rhea Ripley through the barricade.
Following the all out brawl that broke out, RHIYO will defend the titles once again against the newly dubbed Irresistible Forces on the February 27 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
Considering Ripley will be entering the Women’s Elimination Chamber the day following, WWE might want to get the tag team titles off of RHIYO and onto the Irresistible Forces to free up “Mami” for the PLE as well as WrestleMania 42.
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5. Oba Femi Signs With SmackDown After A Win Over The Miz
Over the past few weeks, fans have seen Oba Femi showing up on both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown as a free agent.
“The Ruler” picked up a win over Kit Wilson for a second time on the February 20 SmackDown.
After the match, Femi ran into The Miz who wanted to form an alliance with the former two-time NXT Champion, but Oba instead thought it was a challenge and had a match made for the February 27 edition of SmackDown.
With his continued presence on the blue brand, it would make sense that Oba gets the win and eventually decides to sign with SmackDown after the victory on this show.
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4. Uncle Howdy & The Wyatt Sicks Regain Their Lantern From Solo Sikoa & The MFTs
The rivalry between The MFTs and The Wyatt Sicks started in October and has been a consistent factor on Friday nights.
Taking things to a more personal level, Solo Sikoa stole Uncle Howdy’s lantern during an eight-man tag team match in January.
Since then, The MFTs have used the lantern to defeat The Wyatt Sicks to win the WWE Tag Team Championships.
With Uncle Howdy set to face Sikoa in a singles match, it might be time for The Wyatt Sicks to regain their lantern back from The MFTs on the February 27 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
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3. Royce Keys Makes His Debut
At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Royce Keys made his debut with the company in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match.
While he made an impactful debut in the promotion, Keys has not appeared on WWE TV since his arrival.
Various reports have indicated that Keys will eventually debut on the company’s programming as part of the SmackDown brand.
Ahead of WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, Keys could show up to wreck havoc and make his official SmackDown debut to set him on the course before WrestleMania 42.
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2. Jacob Fatu Gets Into The Men’s Elimination Chamber
On the February 13 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn and Jacob Fatu to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber.
This loss for “The Samoan Werewolf” only came due to Drew McIntyre interfering in the bout and putting Fatu through the commentary table.
Then on the February 20 SmackDown, Fatu stated that he wanted to get his hands on “The Scottish Warrior,” but he was stopped by SmackDown GM Nick Aldis who said that he would give him the opportunity to get his hands on McIntyre.
Having Fatu added a seventh participant in the Men’s Elimination Chamber would be intriguing and immediately make him a favorite to pick up a victory to move on to WrestleMania 42.
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1. Sami Zayn Turns Heel
Over the past few months, fans have seen a more angry and frustrated version of Sami Zayn.
Following his loss to Drew McIntyre at WWE Royal Rumble 2026, it seemed like Zayn was down on his luck and feeling depressed until he received an opportunity to qualify for the Men’s Elimination Chamber.
However, his loss to Cody Rhodes in the qualifying match led to an irate Sami calling out “The American Nightmare” for using the assistance of McIntyre to move on to WWE Elimination Chamber 2026.
Letting his own self doubt and jealousy towards his friend, Zayn could turn heel by attacking Rhodes ahead of his huge opportunity at the premium live event, setting up a grudge match potentially for WrestleMania 42.
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