Cody Rhodes Battles Jacob Fatu on Syfy’s Loaded WWE SmackDown Tonight

Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Network: Syfy (United States)
Streaming: Netflix (International)

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Sami Zayn

Rhodes and Fatu have been circling each other for weeks, building toward what feels inevitable at WrestleMania 42. Sami Zayn's recent title shot against Drew McIntyre only whetted his appetite for another crack at the championship.

This match screams WrestleMania positioning. You have to figure Rhodes and Fatu end up in some sort of triple threat with McIntyre in Las Vegas. That context elevates everything they do here.

Who advances? I'm not touching this prediction. Too close to call, and either Rhodes or Fatu winning makes perfect sense. This is your match of the night candidate. The winner heads to Elimination Chamber in Chicago on Feb. 28 for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega

Giulia's been riding high in her tag team with Kiana James, and you know James will be lurking at ringside. Bliss has been heavily featured all year. Vega? She's there too.

The possibility of Bliss and Charlotte Flair in the Elimination Chamber is real. But the smart money says James interferes and Giulia benefits from the chaos.

Prediction: Giulia advances to the Elimination Chamber

WWE Women's Championship: Jade Cargill vs. Jordynne Grace

We finally get two things we've been waiting for: Jade Cargill's first real title defense and Jordynne Grace getting her shot after what felt like an eternity of buildup.

What's surprising? This match is happening on SmackDown instead of a premium live event or Saturday Night's Main Event. WWE is conditioning us to expect title changes on weekly television now.

If we were three months from WrestleMania, Grace would be a legitimate threat. But we're too close to the biggest show of the year. Jade retains here, and maybe we get a rematch down the road.

The bigger question: If Grace doesn't win, who steps up next?

Prediction: Jade Cargill retains the WWE Women's Championship

WWE Women's Tag Team Championship: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Lash Legend and Nia Jax

Something feels off about this match, and I mean that in the best way possible. Legend and Jax have inserted themselves into everyone's business lately—interfering in matches, cutting snarky promos from the background, and generally making themselves impossible to ignore.

Ripley and Sky have been on fire during this championship run, delivering excellent match after excellent match. If Legend and Jax lose here, it feels like the end of their title chase.

The champions retain. Maybe Jax finds her way into the Elimination Chamber as a consolation prize.

Prediction: Ripley and Sky retain

Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams

Trick Williams has been everywhere on SmackDown this year, and this match with Fenix continues that momentum. Fenix brings his signature high-flying style, but the question is how he works against someone who isn't another luchador.

He's not Rey Mysterio, but he's very good. Sometimes we see awkward moments when lucha libre style clashes with power wrestling or technical mat work. Let's hope these two tear the house down instead.

When the dust settles, Williams gets his hand raised. He's trying to be a heel but getting cheered like a face—the wrestling business never changes.

Prediction: Trick Williams defeats Rey Fenix

Final Thoughts

Expect Carmelo Hayes to show up in some capacity. WWE always throws unannounced surprises at us on loaded shows like this.

Even without surprises, this card has enough potential to be the best SmackDown in weeks. Roman Reigns won the men's Royal Rumble and will challenge for a world title at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, while the Elimination Chamber winners earn their own championship opportunities. Tonight's qualifying matches matter.

Last week's SmackDown from Charlotte saw Randy Orton secure his Chamber spot, and Monday's Raw from Cleveland added LA Knight and Rhea Ripley to their respective Chamber matches. The Road to WrestleMania is taking shape.

Grab your drinks and snacks, settle in, and soak up the action. Just pray we don't get a commercial break in the middle of every match.