WWE Friday Night SmackDown: UK start time, matches announced and current Elimination Chamber participants
The Road to WrestleMania has a detour after the events that took place in the WWE earlier this week.
On this week's Monday Night Raw, a rather tense interview between World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and Michael Cole was interrupted by a defiant Finn Balor.
Balor, reminding the world that he was the one who previously sidelined the champion, demanded a title rematch - and he wanted it in Punk's hometown of Chicago.
Despite hesitation from Raw GM Adam Pearce, the match was made official for Elimination Chamber. Punk made it clear that while Roman Reigns awaits him at WrestleMania 42, he isn't a champion who sits on the sidelines.
He promised the fans that he would fight anyone, anywhere, at any time.
However, things are equally tense over on SmackDown, especially involving two WWE superstars competing for a spot in the Elimination Chamber, and two titans of the women's division are set to collide for the WWE Women's Championship.
Here is your preview, including UK start time, for this week's WWE Friday Night SmackDown.
What time does WWE Friday Night SmackDown start in the UK this evening?
It’s a late one for UK fans of the WWE - but with a stacked card, it’ll be worth the late night.
This week’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown will air live on Netflix from 1am on January 14, with on-demand repeats taking place shortly after the initial broadcast.
What matches have been announced for WWE Friday Night SmackDown?
WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) v Jordynne Grace
In what many are calling a powerhouse dream match, Jade Cargill puts her title on the line against the formidable Jordynne Grace.
The two have been on a collision course since Grace joined the blue brand, and while they briefly found themselves as reluctant tag partners last week, their partnership disintegrated almost immediately.
This is Grace’s first major singles title shot on the main roster, and with both women possessing freakish strength and athleticism, this could easily be a Match of the Year contender.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles: Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY (c) v Nia Jax & Lash Legend
The reigning champions, Rhiyo, face their most physically imposing challenge yet in the form of Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
Ripley and SKY have proven to be a surprisingly effective duo, combining raw power and high-flying agility, but they’ll have to find a way to overcome the sheer size and dominance of Jax and Legend.
With Legend also fresh off a hard-fought Elimination Chamber qualifier last week, she is looking to cement her status as a top-tier powerhouse on the main roster by capturing gold.
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Cody Rhodes v Jacob Fatu v Sami Zayn
The stakes are incredibly high in this Triple Threat, as the winner secures a coveted spot in the Elimination Chamber match in Chicago later this month.
Cody Rhodes is desperate to fight his way back to Undisputed Champion Drew McIntyre, but he has to go through the ‘Samoan Werewolf’ Jacob Fatu and the ever-resilient Sami Zayn.
Following Cody and Fatu’s ambush of McIntyre last week, tensions are at an all-time high, making this match as much about personal grudges as it is about championship opportunities.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss v Giulia v Zelina Vega
This qualifier features three very different styles clashing for a spot in the Women’s Chamber. Alexa Bliss is looking to regain her spot at the top of the division, while Giulia continues to make waves following her highly anticipated arrival in WWE.
Zelina Vega remains the dark horse of the match, capable of pulling off an upset with her speed and technical ability. Many fans are keeping a close eye on Giulia, whose hard-hitting style has already made her a marked woman in the SmackDown locker room.
Trick Williams v Rey Fenix
Fresh off his confrontational segment with Drew McIntyre last week, Trick Williams is set to showcase his skills against the high-flying Rey Fenix.
Williams has been gaining massive momentum since his SmackDown debut, but Fenix presents a unique challenge with his unpredictable aerial offence.
This match is a huge opportunity for Trick to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of the blue brand’s roster as he continues to circle the Undisputed Title picture.
Who has qualified so far for this month’s Elimination Chamber matches?
The road to the United Center in Chicago is becoming clearer as several top-tier superstars have already secured their places inside the steel structure.
For the men's match, Randy Orton was the first to qualify after a gruelling battle on the February 6 episode of SmackDown, where he overcame Solo Sikoa and Aleister Black. Joining him is LA Knight, who punched his ticket on this week's Raw by winning a high-stakes Triple Threat against Austin Theory and Penta.
On the women's side, Tiffany Stratton became the first participant to confirm her spot during last Friday's SmackDown after navigating a chaotic match against Chelsea Green and Lash Legend.
She will be joined by Rhea Ripley, who reclaimed her singles momentum on Monday Night Raw with a dominant performance over Lyra Valkyria and Ivy Nile.
Men’s Elimination Chamber participants
- Randy Orton
- LA Knight
Women’s Elimination Chamber participants
- Tiffany Stratton
- Rhea Ripley
The fourth spot in the men’s Elimination Chamber will be decided on the February 16 episode of Raw between Dominik Mysterio, Gunther, and Je'Von Evans, meanwhile, the fourth spot will be up for grabs on the February 16 episode of Raw in a clash between Asuka, Bayley, and Nattie.
Who do you think will fill out the remaining spots in the Elimination Chamber match? Make your predictions by leaving a comment or dropping an email to the writer of this article.