WWE SmackDown preview (Feb. 13, 2026): Cody Rhodes might be left out of the other WrestleMania main event

SmackDown airs tonight (Feb. 13) with a live show emanating from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. This is the second episode of SmackDown during the four week build to Elimination Chamber, which takes place on February 28. Tonight’s episode of is bumped over to the SyFy network due to ongoing coverage of the Olympics.

Cody Rhodes might be left out of the other WrestleMania main event

Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu both desperately want to get their hands on WWE Champion Drew McIntyre for the top prize in the company at WrestleMania 42. They’ll have to win the Elimination

Chamber match in order to make that happen. The only problem is that they are facing each other tonight in a Chamber qualifier, along with Sami Zayn in a triple threat match. On the surface, that suggests at least one of Fatu or Rhodes won’t even make it to the Chamber match at the end of this month. But it can’t be WWE’s actual plan to leave one of them out of the Chamber match, right?

It’s worth noting that sometimes WWE does book a “last chance” qualifying match right before the PLE, where the previous losers have a second chance to secure the final Chamber spot. That could perhaps be how WWE fits both Rhodes and Fatu in this year’s chamber match, even after one of them loses tonight and is seemingly out of the mix.

Another scenario that might get both of them into the Chamber is for there to be a double pin on Sami Zayn in this qualifying bout. Zayn is well known for choking in important matches, so that idea seems plausible to me.

But what if WWE doesn’t plan to book either Rhodes or Fatu inside the Chamber? Both babyfaces attacked Drew McIntyre last week, so he may be looking to return the favor tonight. Drew already interfered to eliminate Cody from the Royal Rumble, so we know he wants nothing to do with a rematch against him. It makes sense for McIntyre to try the same strategy tonight to screw Rhodes out of a WrestleMania main event. And while Drew is at it, why not kill two birds with one stone by also screwing over the Samoan Werewolf? Drew has Sami’s number, so he should do everything in his power to make sure Sami wins tonight and qualifies for the Elimination Chamber over Rhodes and Fatu. There are no disqualifications in a triple threat match, so there’s no rule that prevents the WWE champion from putting his thumb on the scale tonight in this high stakes fight.

Will Drew McIntyre once again prove to be the smartest guy on the roster by helping Sami Zayn qualify for the Elimination Chamber over Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu? Tune into SmackDown on SyFy tonight to find out.

The rest of the card

WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill finally defends her belt on TV tonight in a match against Jordynne Grace. This is Jade’s first non-house show title defense since she won the belt over 100 days ago. Jade better not blow it here and lose her belt to the underdog, otherwise she may go down as one of the worst champions in WWE history.

RHIYO is back on the blue brand tonight to put the WWE women’s tag team championship on the line against Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Every time Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY beat another team, it probably moves the Bella Twins closer to a future title shot.

Tonight’s women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match is Alexa Bliss vs. Zelina Vega vs. Women’s United States Champion Giulia. Zelina doesn’t stand much of a chance and is probably here to take the fall. Will Charlotte Flair make up for eliminating Bliss in the Royal Rumble by neutralizing Kiana James at ringside?

Finally, Trick Williams is booked in a singles match against low card guy Rey Fenix. This match came about after Trick mocked Sami Zayn backstage for being a loser. Trick was also doing commentary during last week’s Elimination Chamber qualifying main event, so there’s every reason to believe he’ll beat Fenix tonight and soon have a chance to qualify for the Chamber.

Other stuff to keep an eye on

– The live fans were into Kit Wilson’s shtick against toxic masculinity last week until Oba Femi showed up to destroy him. Can Wilson get the fans to chant about facial moisturizer and being a good listener tonight before Matt Cardona tries to kick his ass? Is Apollo Crews back on the blue brand so there is someone on the roster for Wilson to beat?

– Does Randy Orton get the night off after qualifying for Elimination Chamber last week, or is he contractually obligated to hit someone with an RKO outta nowhere tonight?

– Tiffany Stratton qualified for Elimination Chamber last week, but has yet to cut a promo in the ring since she returned to WWE at Royal Rumble. Does she plan to trash talk Jade Cargill when WWE gives her the mic?

– United States Champion Carmelo Hayes put down The Miz in last week’s open challenge for the belt. Does that clear the way for Ilja Dragunov to once again fight Hayes for the belt, or does someone else plan to cut in line?

– It sounded awfully quiet in the arena last week when Tama Tonga beat Shinsuke Nakamura in a singles match, thanks to an assist from the MFTs. Does the apparent lack of fan interest mean their beef is already squashed?

– Speaking of MFT, Solo Sikoa was all alone last week when he failed to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. If the Wyatt Sicks are so good at disappearing an entire family without a trace, why is it so hard to get a damn lantern back?

– Drew McIntyre crossed paths with R-Truth and Damian Priest backstage last week. Does this mean one of those guys is eating a Claymore tonight?

– Johnny Gargano can’t even muster the will to stand up as his WWE career spirals down the drain. What can Candice LeRae do to get him back on his feet besides beg the Motor City Machine Guns to help?

– Chelsea Green’s foot might be broken after she came up short in last week Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Does Green plan to spend a lot more time annoying the hell out of GM Nick Aldis on Friday nights until she is fully recovered?

– Aleister Black is back on TV after he was thrown off the top of an ambulance in January. Who does he plan to start a never-ending feud with tonight?

– Where the f*** is Royce Keys?

What will you be looking for on SmackDown?