Rhea Ripley Faces Giulia on SmackDown Following Match Adjustment

WWE made a last-minute change to the February 20th episode of SmackDown, replacing IYO SKY with Rhea Ripley in a singles match against Giulia. The announcement, made on social media just hours before the show aired, stated that Ripley would now face Giulia at 8/7c on SYFY [1].

Initial Match and Subsequent Change

Originally, IYO SKY was scheduled to compete against Giulia. However, WWE opted to postpone that match, citing a strategic decision to build more storyline weight before their eventual showdown [4]. The change led to speculation among fans regarding potential injuries or creative adjustments, but the postponement was intentional.

SmackDown Results – February 20, 2026

The February 20th episode of SmackDown, held at the Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, featured several key matches and developments [3]:

• Elimination Chamber Qualifiers: Two qualifying matches for the 2026 Elimination Chamber took place. Kiana James defeated Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax in a Women’s Qualifying Match, while Trick Williams defeated Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest in a Men’s Qualifying Match.
• Singles Matches: Tama Tonga defeated Ilja Dragunov, Oba Femi defeated Kit Wilson, Tiffany Stratton defeated Alba Fyre, and Aleister Black defeated Randy Orton.
• Rhea Ripley vs. Giulia: The match between Rhea Ripley and Giulia ended in a No-Contest after an attack by The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend), with Iyo Sky making the save [3].

Looking Ahead

While the IYO SKY vs. Giulia match has been postponed, WWE views it as a significant encounter and intends to build towards it strategically. The timing and location of the match remain to be seen, but the company is focused on maximizing its impact when it finally occurs [1].