WWE announced a significant return match for Alexa Bliss on tonight’s SmackDown in Memphis, Tennessee. Bliss, who returned at Royal Rumble 2025 as entrant number 21, will face Candice LeRae in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
SmackDown announcers Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore shared the news in a preview video. During the announcement, Tessitore highlighted the crowd reaction to Bliss at Royal Rumble, noting her return generated an enthusiastic response from fans.
WWE also scheduled Bianca Belair to compete against Piper Niven in another Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Royal Rumble winners Charlotte Flair and Jey Uso are set to appear on the show. This follows Uso’s confrontation with World Heavyweight Champion Gunther on Raw, while Flair addressed Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley regarding their paths to WrestleMania.
Contract Update
Fightful Select reports Alexa Bliss signed a new five-year WWE contract before her Royal Rumble appearance. According to PWInsider.com, Bliss arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium at 3:00 PM Eastern Time after finalizing the agreement.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com noted Bliss’s return was a late addition to the match plans, replacing an originally scheduled spot for Shotzi. Backstage personnel expressed mixed reactions, supporting Bliss’s return while showing concern for Shotzi’s removal from the match.