Triple H Kicked Off SmackDown Triple H opened the show with a series of puns about being on the road to WrestleMania. In something of a parallel universe, Triple H is a babyface as an authority figure who’s backing the main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Meanwhile, the Samoan rebels—including The Rock—are being booed as heels. Adam Pearce announced a series of six matches between 12 qualifiers for the Elimination Chamber, including Logan Paul, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre.
Drew McIntyre Def. AJ Styles Prior to this match, Drew McIntyre cut a promo branding himself “DM Hunk.” LA Knight appeared on commentary to a huge reaction. Knight was in rare form this WrestleMania season. Knight asked if Seth’s middle name is actually “Freakin,” and was informed that it is not. McIntyre connected with an awesome Glasgow Kiss while AJ Styles tried to deliver a springboard Phenomenal Forearm. Styles and Knight had a showdown at ringside. It led to a visual pinfall for Styles, but Knight distracted the referee trying to get into the ring. Styles then walked into a Claymore Kick and lost.
Bianca Belair Def. Michin It was very odd that Bianca Belair and Michin were on the same team as recently as last week, and now here they are having a match. It makes more sense that this match is being competed for an Elimination Chamber spot. This match would have had more heat if anybody believed Michin had a chance to beat Bianca Belair. With Love and Hip-Hop upcoming—and heavily promoted—there was no way Bianca Belair was going to lose this match.
Dakota Kai Confronts Bayley In the midst of “Bayley” chants, Bayley said Damage CTRL meant everything to her. She said she gave and gave to them, and all they ever did was took from her. Bayley was interrupted by Dakota Kai, who insisted she didn’t know what was going on this whole time. Kai was in the Jey Uso role, and swore she didn’t know what was going on. The Fans in Charlotte didn’t seem to believe her. As Dakota tried to explain why she didn’t tell Bayley about Damage CTRL’s shenanigans, fans booed her and gave her the “what” treatment. Damage CTRL hit the ring to attack Bayley, and Kai chased them off with a steel chair before teasing she was going to hit Bayley. We still don’t know whose side Kai is on, and that’s a great thing.
Pete Dunne And Tyler Bate Def. DIY This was an indie-wrestling styled, high-flying, hard-hitting contest tailor-made for the Dave Meltzer audience. There were a few blind tags, which all led to great spots, including the finish. Backstage, Logan Paul berated Nick Aldis before vowing to win the Elimination Chamber and beating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. Paul’s opponent will be The Miz.
Randy Orton Def. Sami Zayn It’ll be interesting to see Zayn’s road to WrestleMania 40 given his last two WrestleManias featured an all-time great match against Johnny Knoxville and last year he appeared in a history-making main event. Orton hit a rare superplex, but then immediately began selling his back. After Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall, he ultimately walked into an RKO as Orton advanced to The Chamber.
