New Match Added to SmackDown as Rhea Ripley Replaces IYO SKY – WWE has confirmed another match for tonight’s episode of SmackDown at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Ilja Dragunov will face Tama Tonga in a singles bout.

Dragunov and Tonga were on opposite sides in a ten-man tag team match last Friday. The MFTs, made up of JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, defeated Apollo Crews, Carmelo Hayes, Dragunov, Matt Cardona and Shinsuke Nakamura. Now Dragunov gets a direct opportunity to respond in one-on-one action.

WWE also announced a late change to a previously scheduled match. IYO SKY has been removed from her non-title bout against Women’s United States Champion Giulia. In her place, former Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will now compete against Giulia in a first-time singles meeting. WWE has not provided an explanation for the switch. The change comes eight days before the Elimination Chamber premium live event in Chicago.

Tonight’s SmackDown will air on Syfy in the United States due to Olympic coverage on the usual broadcast partner.

The updated lineup for the show includes several key matches that will determine the final entrants in the 2026 Elimination Chamber.

• Rhea Ripley vs. Giulia in a non-title match.
• Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest in a Triple Threat match.
• Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax vs. Kiana James in a Triple Threat match.
• Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson in Femi’s formal main roster singles debut.
• Ilja Dragunov vs. Tama Tonga in a featured singles contest.

New Match Added to SmackDown as Rhea Ripley Replaces IYO SKY

AdvertisementAdvertisement