This week’s WWE SmackDown episode featured two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. One of them was the women’s triple-threat match between Nia Jax, Charlotte Flair, and Kiana James, which stole the spotlight not only for its unexpected finish but also for a pinfall botch.
Flair looked like the favorite. WWE has been hinting at a big moment for Flair and Jade Cargill, and their intense staredown before the match made it seem like she was headed for another major opportunity.
As the match began, Flair took on Jax and James. James tried to team up with Jax early to take out Flair, but Jax had no interest in sharing control. She dropped both opponents with strong pop-up headbutts and went for her running hip attacks.
Flair then fired back with her classic chops, a side kick to Jax, and a walk-over clothesline to James, and performed a moonsault on both wrestlers to swing the momentum back her way. However, Jax then dropped Flair with a Samoan drop, and James countered Jax with a Samoan Drop.
Confusion Surrounds Pinfall In Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Then came the controversial spot. As James went for the top rope, Flair caught her up and then hit a Spanish Fly off the top rope on James and went for the pin. From the live view, it looked like the referee counted to three before James lifted her shoulder. The crowd thought it was over, but the ref signaled a two-count. Replays online had fans debating whether it was actually a botch from the WWE official.
HOLY SH*T WHAT A SPANISH FLY!!!
— Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) February 21, 2026
AND SEEMS LIKE THE REF BOTCHED THE COUNT ?#Smackdown pic.twitter.com/LecWhsjAhy
Despite the confusion, the match continued. Charlotte Flair later hit Kiana James with a Pop-up Powerbomb and locked in the Figure Four, but Jax broke it up. After more chaos, including Nia Jax hitting the Annihilator on James, it came down to Flair and Jax alone in the ring.
Flair managed to powerbomb Jax from the ropes and locked in the Figure Eight, looking seconds away from winning. But James slid back in, snuck into position, and stole the pin to win the match.
Now, whether the count was a botch or just a moment of confusion, the result signals a massive push ahead for Kiana James.
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