WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, Live on the USA Network | February 27th, 2026 — The Episode Recap:
- robbyplaha
- Feb 28
- 7 min read
The February 27th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Results:
The Opening Match: Uncle Howdy defeated Solo Sikoa in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:06)
The 2nd Match: Tiffany Stratton defeated Kairi Sane (with Asuka) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (10:21)
The 3rd Match: Oba Femi defeated The Miz in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (04:52)
The 4th Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) defeated Matt Cardona in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:50)
The 5th Match: Jordynne Grace defeated Candice LeRae (with Johnny Gargano) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (03:47)
The 6th Match: RHIYO (IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley) (c) vs. The Irrestibles Forces (Lash Legend & Nia Jax) in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (18:15)
The Main Event Match: Logan Paul (with Austin Theory & Paul Heyman) defeated Jacob Fatu in a Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match | via Pin-Fall — (11:20)
My Thoughts on the February 27th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:
My Thoughts: This was a very decent episode of Friday Night SmackDown. I enjoyed the opener of the show, which started in chaos and immediately set an energetic tone for the rest of the night. There were several solid matches throughout the card, with good pacing and engaging in-ring action that kept me invested from segment to segment. On top of that, we saw an awesome title change that felt important and added a real sense of excitement and unpredictability to the show. Sami Zayn’s character development is something I’ve especially been enjoying. Week after week, he’s been spiraling further, and you can really see how the pressure and emotional toll are affecting him. It seems like a darker character shift is coming for him, and the subtle changes in his behavior and attitude make his story one of the most compelling parts of the program right now. Overall, this was a fine go-home show that effectively built anticipation for what’s next. The storytelling, combined with the strong matches and that big title change, did a good job of raising the stakes. I’m genuinely interested in the outcome of the Elimination Chamber and curious to see how the events of this episode will influence what happens there.
The February 27th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Ratings:
The Opening Match: Uncle Howdy vs. Solo Sikoa in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: **.25 — Bo Dallas, I’m glad he’s wrestling in this match; we haven’t seen an Uncle Howdy Singles Match since his match with Chad Gable on the Main Event of Monday Night RAW in August of 2024. So I wanted to see how this goes, and it was a passable match for Bo Dallas and Solo Sikoa. This feud has been dragging on since, I believe, in September. So I just want this to end because the whole feud has killed off the SmackDown Tag Team Division once The Wyatt Sicks won the belts off of the Street Profits. But surprisingly, Uncle Howdy got the win with a Sister Abagail getting his 2nd Singles win, and tried to regain his Lanturn but got big booted by Talla Tonga, who snatched back the Lanturn to run off with it as The Wyatt Sicks are still trying to regain the item they hold dear to their stable, as Bray Waytt once held that exact Lanturn.
The 2nd Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Kairi Sane (with Asuka) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: *** — A very solid match between these two. You could tell Tiffany Stratton was working her ass off in this match because she was having a very good performance in this match. Kairi Sane, who has been losing left and right as of late, wasn't having any luck on her side in this match. Also, to note, we saw Chelsea Green at ringside for this match. Even though she is injured, she is still entertaining. But this match was conducted with Tiffany Stratton hitting her moonsault to get the win over Kairi Sane to build momentum towards the Women's Elimination Chamber, but we saw an irate Asuka berate Kairi Sane. I wonder if Kairi Sane is going to turn face in the near future.
The 3rd Match: Oba Femi vs. The Miz in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — Oba Femi made quick work of the Miz. The Miz tried to have this match not happen as he tried to propose something that Oba Femi didn’t care about. But what I like is Oba Femi with these promos is displaying so much personality, and is also continuing to look like an unbeatable monster, which makes me super happy. Oba Femi, I really hope he stays on SmackDown. He can add so much to SmackDown can be instantly slotted into the Main Event Scene. But again another monster performance, hope this continues to keep going.
The 4th Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Matt Cardona in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.50 — I actually liked the fact that Matt Cardona accepted the WWE United States Title Open Challenge. I wasn't expecting him whatsoever, but this was a very decent match between these two, have physical. I must say that Indie run for Matt Cardona did help him polish his in-ring ability a lot because he's going to be a very solid veteran piece for the SmackDown roster. Carmelo Hayes hit the First 48 to get the win and retain his WWE United States Title. Afterwards, we saw mutual respect between the two men. Carmelo Hayes continues his streak of having very fun matches. I do see him being a World Title contender once this run ends because he has been a lot of people’s favorite part of the show. Also, we have seen him get extremely over with the WWE Universe. Carmelo Hayes’ big-2026 year continues to soar high.
The 5th Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Candice LeRae (with Johnny Gargano) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — You’ve got a three-hour long show, this could’ve been a very stealer match between these two if they were given 10-12 minutes, but because the booking is very odd, they had this be an three minute match. Candice LeRae was distratced with the fact that his husband, Johnny Gargano, was depressed and was lying on the announce table, not paying attention to anything that was going on. Now, did this match have some fun moments with the quick time it was given? Yes, this could’ve been a very fun match, but it ended with Jordynne Grace getting the win, too boost her stock in the SmackDown’s Women’s Division.
The 6th Match: RHIYO (IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley) (c) vs. The Irrestibles Forces (Lash Legend & Nia Jax) in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.25 — The Match of the Night for me, this was stellar, what a performance by every woman involved in this match espeiclly Lash Legend and Rhwa Ripley, who were tearing it up inside the square circle. I did expect a title change with the rumor pending that Rhea Ripley is facing Jade Cargill at WrestleMania. I expected this outcome to occur. Am I very happy for Lash Legend yes, she has worked her ass off to get this moment I'm a huge fan of hers this is something I lovbe seeing someone who worked tooth and nail to get better now she is awarded with the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles now she's probably working her first WrestleMania just a great moment I do expect her and Nia Jax to have a very solid run as the chemistry with those two is solid. But I do see IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley going on separate paths as they look towards their WrestleMania Programs.
The Main Event Match: Logan Paul (with Austin Theory & Paul Heyman) vs. Jacob Fatu in a Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match | The Match Rating: **.50 — Logan Paul is a guy who doesn't understand in-ring psyclogy he doesn't know how to tell a story in the ring, all he does is spam big-time spots with no reason. Now, Jacob Fatu, who has been chasing after Drew McIntyre and the WWE Undisputed Title, had a chance to get in the Men's Elimination Chamber Match, but it didn't happen as Drew McIntyre slammed the WWE Undisputed Title across his face to help Logan Paul get the win to be the man replacing Jey Uso in the Men's Elimination Chamber Match. Now, why this match was underwhelming wasn't because of Jacob Fatu; he was doing a hell of a job, but Logan Paul doesn't know what he's doing. He is very generic and doesn't understand the business at all. But with Logan Paul being added to the Chamber Match, I do expect Seth Rollins to make his official return as the masked man, as he had one of his students be the decoy last night on SmackDown.
The February 27th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night: RHIYO (IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley) (c) vs. The Irrestibles Forces (Lash Legend & Nia Jax) in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.25 — This was the match of the night for me, absolutely stellar. Every woman involved delivered, especially Lash Legend and Rhea Ripley, who were tearing it up inside the squared circle. Because of the rumors that Rhea Ripley will face Jade Cargill at WrestleMania, I fully expected a title change, so this outcome wasn’t a surprise. I’m very happy for Lash Legend. She’s worked her ass off to earn this moment, and as a huge fan of hers, I love seeing someone who fought tooth and nail to improve now being rewarded with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. She’s likely heading into her first WrestleMania, which makes it an even more special milestone. I expect her and Nia Jax to have a very solid run, since their chemistry is already strong. At the same time, I see IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley going their separate ways as they build toward their WrestleMania programs.
The February 27th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade: 6.25/10 (C+) — This was a very decent episode of Friday Night SmackDown. I enjoyed the opener of the show that started in chaos; there were some solid matches, and we saw an awesome title change that occurred tonight. But Sami Zayn’s character development is something I’ve been enjoying. He has been spiraling. It seems like a darker character shift is coming. But this was a fine overall go-home show. I’m interested in the outcome for the Elimination Chamber.
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