WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Damian Priest earns spot in Elimination Chamber in chaotic main event

Priest overcame gargantuan challenges in Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu

Damian Priest will enter the Elimination Chamber on March 1 after the events of WWE SmackDown. Priest will compete with John Cena, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul and one other participant for a shot against undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.

Priest headlined Friday's show against Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman. At stake was a coveted spot in the men's Elimination Chamber match. It was a hard-hitting match with plenty of chaos.

SmackDown also featured a WWE women's championship match and a new match added to WrestleMania.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.

Priest punches his ticket to the Chamber

Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes kicked off SmackDown by mulling over who he'd face at WrestleMania 41. He named CM Punk and John Cena, two competitors in the men's Elimination Chamber match, as candidates. Rhodes said one person who wouldn't earn the right was Solo Sikoa, who attacked Rhodes last week. 

Drew McIntyre cut off Rhodes, wondering why the champ snubbed him as a potential Chamber winner. Rhodes apologized before acknowledging McIntyre as one of the few men to beat him since returning to WWE.

The Bloodline's Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga were next to join the conversation. Fatu promised to win the night's qualifying match, emerge from the Elimination Chamber and return the undisputed WWE title to the family by beating Rhodes at WrestleMania. McIntyre exited the ring, spurring a face-to-face between Fatu and Rhodes. Solo Sikoa appeared on the big screen before things could escalate. Fatu blocked Rhodes from chasing after Sikoa, claiming no one would speak with Sikoa before Fatu.

Later in the evening, Fatu stormed into Sikoa's locker room. Fatu demanded answers for Sikoa's absence. Sikoa claimed he wasn't himself since losing Tribal Combat to Roman Reigns last month. But Sikoa said he was back and encouraged Fatu to bring the world title home. Sikoa expressed his love for Fatu before the latter stormed off.

Elsewhere backstage, McIntyre mocked Jimmy Uso for failing to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Uso dropped him with a superkick, leading to a one-on-one match next week.

Damian Priest def. Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu via pinfall to qualify for the men's Elimination Chamber match. Friday's main event was as hard-hitting as expected. Strowman sidelined Priest for quite a while after chokeslamming him onto the announcers' table. Fatu appeared Elimination Chamber bound after Sikoa interfered, laying out Strowman with a Samoan Spike. Rhodes intervened before Fatu could capitalize. Sikoa accidentally struck Tama Tonga with the Samoan Spike while aiming for Rhodes. The inadvertent collision spurred an argument between Fatu and Sikoa. Priest clotheslined Fatu over the barricade before pinning Strowman in the ring.

Friday's main event delivered. The colossal collision was a refreshing change from WWE's typical match style. The friction between Fatu and Sikoa feels premature but at least WWE is adding layers to The Bloodline vs. Rhodes feud. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Naomi def. Chelsea Green via pinfall with a split-legged moonsault. Naomi qualifies for the women's Elimination Chamber match.
• Sami Zayn claimed to be dealing with nerve damage after Kevin Owens assaulted him.
• Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) def. Los Garza (Angel and Berto) via pinfall after hitting Skull and Bones on Berto.
• LA Knight def. The Miz via pinfall after landing a diving elbow drop.
• Carmelo Hayes def. R-Truth via pinfall with Nothing But Net.
• Kevin Owens said he'd see Zayn at the Elimination Chamber.
• WWE Women's Championship -- Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Nia Jax via disqualification after Candace LeRae attacked her.
• Charlotte Flair selected Stratton as her WrestleMania 41 opponent.
• Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were potentially implicated in attacking Jade Cargill in a video anonymously sent to SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis. He shared the video with Bianca Belair and Naomi.
• Trish Stratus proposed a match with Stratton at the Elimination Chamber.