SmackDown preview Feb. 20: Oba Femi returns as part of a loaded Elimination Chamber build

Free agent oba femi returns to Friday night television to face Kit Wilson, closing out a SmackDown card stacked with Elimination Chamber implications and title clashes. The return of oba femi is one of several matches that will shape the road to Chicago and WrestleMania; the show airs at 8 ET/7 CT.

Oba Femi returns to SmackDown to take on Kit Wilson

With offers from SmackDown and Raw, the free agent Oba Femi makes his return and will square off with Kit Wilson on this special SmackDown. The booking frames Oba Femi as a returning presence with interest from both brands; his match with Kit Wilson is positioned as a key Friday-night encounter. Fans should watch how Oba Femi is used in the immediate aftermath of this return, given the explicit network and brand interest in signing him.

Elimination Chamber qualifier: Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

A Triple Threat Elimination Chamber Qualifier headlines the build to the pay-per-view, pitting Carmelo Hayes against Damian Priest and Trick Williams. The reigning United States Champion Carmelo Hayes is entering with momentum, while Trick Williams is identified as a newcomer aiming to establish himself. Damian Priest is presented as a former World Heavyweight Champion who is attempting to reinsert himself into the world title picture. The winner will move another step toward the Chamber and, potentially, WrestleMania stakes.

Women’s Triple Threat and other title matchups to watch

The women’s Elimination Chamber field is taking shape on this show. Charlotte Flair, Kiana James and Nia Jax will square off in a Triple Threat Qualifying Match with a spot in the Chamber on the line and a WrestleMania opportunity at stake for the winner. That match is a direct pathway for one competitor to punch her ticket to Chicago.

In addition, Women's United States Champion Giulia will face a match against Women's Tag Team Champion Rhea Ripley, billed as a clash of titleholders. Observers should note how championship status factors into in-ring storytelling on this episode and whether either champion emerges with momentum heading into the Chamber.

Opening and undercard hooks

The show opens with Cody Rhodes, who has already qualified for the Elimination Chamber and is portrayed as moving closer to an Undisputed Championship Match at WrestleMania. That kickoff segment sets the tone for the night’s Chamber-centered narrative.

Additional undercard items include a one-on-one match between Ilja Dragunov and Tama Tonga, following recent interactions between those competitors. The card also features moments that escalate ongoing rivalries and build toward next weekend’s premium event.

What to watch and potential implications

• Oba Femi’s return: whether it leads to immediate contract momentum or a storyline direction tied to brand offers.
• The Triple Threat qualifier: how Carmelo Hayes, Damian Priest and Trick Williams are positioned—momentum for the US Champion, a newcomer’s breakthrough, or a veteran’s resurgence.
• Women’s Chamber picture: which of Charlotte Flair, Kiana James or Nia Jax advances and how that changes the Chamber lineup.
• Titleholder clash: outcomes and narrative fallout from Giulia vs. Rhea Ripley.

Expect a night focused on qualification, contract intrigue and championship momentum as SmackDown pushes toward the Elimination Chamber and the subsequent WrestleMania ramifications. For viewers tracking returns and roster movement, oba femi’s appearance is the standout non-qualifier storyline to monitor throughout the broadcast.