Logan Paul competed against Jacob Fatu in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown. Paul secured the victory following outside interference from Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, advancing to the upcoming premium live event.
The match began with Austin Theory distracting Fatu. This allowed Paul to attack Fatu with punches and elbows. Fatu responded with multiple clotheslines and a back senton. Fatu followed up with a splash in the corner, an uppercut, and a series of punches. Fatu sent Paul into the turnbuckles and hit another splash. Fatu then clotheslined Paul over the top rope to the ringside floor and executed a suicide dive.
On the outside, Fatu sent Paul into the steel ring steps. Paul avoided a second attempt and drove Fatu’s head into the steps twice. Fatu set up for a running hip attack against the ringside barricade, but Theory pulled Paul out of the way. Theory then sent Fatu into the ring post. Paul returned to the floor, sent Fatu back inside the ring, and executed a split-leg drop for a near fall. Fatu attempted an Irish whip and charged into the corner, but Paul raised his boots to block the attack. Paul followed with a gutwrench suplex for a near fall.
The competitors exchanged strikes, with Fatu throwing punches and Paul using knee strikes. Fatu missed a splash in the corner and hit the ring post. Paul executed a leaping reverse neckbreaker for a two-count. Paul climbed to the top turnbuckle and missed a frog splash, rolling through the landing. Fatu hit a superkick followed by a handspring moonsault for a near fall. Fatu climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Paul stopped him with a forearm strike. Paul attempted a superplex, which Fatu blocked. Fatu delivered a headbutt, sending Paul to the mat. Fatu attempted a swanton dive, but Paul raised his knees to block the impact.
Paul hit a blockbuster and a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Paul set up for his signature strike, but Fatu countered with a superkick and a running hip attack in the corner. Theory climbed onto the ring apron, and Fatu kicked him. Paul Heyman then climbed onto the apron, and Fatu grabbed him. This distraction allowed Paul to deliver a low blow and a punch. Paul followed with a frog splash, resulting in a near fall.
During the match, a masked individual appeared at ringside and delivered a superkick to Theory. Paul punched the masked individual and removed his mask, revealing an unidentified person. Referees intervened and escorted the individual to the backstage area. The announcers were baffled. Obviously, the idea here is that anyone can be under the mask but the ultimate reveal will be someone important.
With no referee present in the ring, Paul prepared for another punch. Fatu countered with a pop-up Samoan drop. Fatu positioned himself and attempted a double jump moonsault from the top turnbuckle. At that moment, Drew McIntyre entered the ring and struck Fatu with the Undisputed WWE Championship belt. Paul then covered Fatu to secure the three-count and win the match.
With this victory, Logan Paul qualifies for the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. The Elimination Chamber event takes place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The PLE will also feature CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor, and Becky Lynch defending the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship against AJ Lee. The Women’s Elimination Chamber match includes Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, and Kiana James, with the winner earning a WWE Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 42.
