The latest episode of SmackDown kicked off with a fiery promo from Triple H, joined by Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce. While taking shots at The Rock, The Game also announced important details about the Elimination Chamber qualifying matches.
These matches would determine the participants in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, with the winner earning the right to challenge Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.
In a surprising turn of events, Logan Paul’s plans to defend his United States Championship at the PLE seemed to have been altered. Originally set to find a challenger for his title, Paul is now booked to compete in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match against The Miz.
While this shift may have diverted Paul’s trajectory, there remains a possibility of him defending the United States Championship in Perth, Australia if he fails to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match.
The first qualification match of the night saw Drew McIntyre facing AJ Styles. Both competitors, having faced recent setbacks in championship pursuits, saw this match as a crucial opportunity.
In an intense bout lasting nearly 12 minutes, McIntyre emerged victorious, securing the first spot in the Elimination Chamber. The Scottish Warrior aims to seize the competition in Perth and set his sights on redemption against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
The main event featured another qualifying match between Randy Orton and Sami Zayn. Fans were left conflicted, given the massive fan following of both superstars. Ultimately, Orton triumphed over Zayn, earning the second qualification spot for the Elimination Chamber.
As The Viper celebrated, McIntyre entered the ring, setting the stage for a face-off with Orton as the show concluded. The anticipation builds as these qualifying matches unfold, leading to the high-stakes Elimination Chamber event and the pursuit of the ultimate prize – a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40.
