Image: WWE
Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown was a newsworthy one as two new matches were made for the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view that play into each other.
Early in the night, Paul Heyman revealed to Adam Pearce that Universal Champion Roman Reigns is contractually obligated to defend the title at the PPV and would do so that night against the winner of an SmackDown-focused Chamber match. To thwart him, Pearce added his cousin Jey Uso and heated rival Kevin Owens to the match with the other four qualifying during Friday’s show in a pair of tag team matches.
After those matches, the final Chamber field of Owens, Uso, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Sami Zayn and King Corbin was set.
Also on the show, Seth Rollins returns and later tried to injure Cesaro’s knee, Big E defended the Intercontinental Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bianca Belair came out to confront Women’s Champion Sasha Banks before they were interrupted by Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, potentially setting up a match for the Chamber.
More coverage from last night —
WWE Elimination Chamber winner to get Universal title shot that night
Raw Elimination Chamber entrant gauntlet match, Miz TV set for Raw
WWE 205 results: Tony Nese vs. Jake Atlas
WWE signs Christian Casanova to developmental deal
WWE SmackDown live coverage
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Roman Reigns to defend Universal title at Elimination Chamber
Elimination Chamber qualifier: The Mysterios vs. Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin
Reginald apologizes to Sasha Banks
Intercontinental Champion Big E vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Seth Rollins returns, attempts to injure Cesaro
Liv Morgan vs. Bayley
Street Profits vs. Otis and Chad Gable
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler confront Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair
Elimination Chamber qualifier: Daniel Bryan and Cesaro vs. Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler