5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (7 Feb - Results & Review)

4. Alexa Bliss Shakes Off Ring Rust

It's fair to say that Alexa Bliss was understandably rusty during this one on one vs. Candice LeRae for Elimination Chamber qualification. That's understandable - this was Alexa's first singles whip since wrestling Bianca Belair way back at the 2023 Royal Rumble. Two years on, she's back in rings doing her thing, and people are thrilled to see her again (especially after reports on her health scares!).

WWE gave Bliss and Candice around 10 minutes, which was smart because it let Alexa find her footing out there again after years away. This sort of basic match might even normally get a ‘Down’ or be skipped entirely, but it’s legit sweet to see Bliss back, and the live crowd was into everything she did. LeRae’s matches don’t typically play before a ton of noise, but she was a serviceable foe in this kind of scenario and bumped around well for the real star of the piece.

Now, attention turns to what the writers have in store for Alexa next. The Wyatt Sicks were traded to SmackDown in the Transfer Window, so there might be something in that. Bliss has a lot of history with Bray Wyatt, so it'd make sense if she was involved in The Sicks' story somewhere.

If nothing else, Alexa does add some more star power to the women's Chamber match in Toronto next month. She probably won't win it and challenge Rhea Ripley, but it is cool to have someone the calibre of Bliss back on TV regularly regardless. She'll come in handy as a title challenger during the post-WrestleMania lull.