Jey Uso was attacked backstage by an unknown assailant before..

Jey Uso was attacked backstage by an unknown assailant before the February 27, 2026, edition of WWE SmackDown at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky — just 24 hours before he was scheduled to compete in the Men's Elimination Chamber match.

The Attack & SmackDown Opening

Before SmackDown even went on the air, WWE posted a photo and video on Instagram showing officials and other WWE stars surrounding a Superstar on the ground, appearing to have been put through part of the backstage set. WWE issued the following official statement: 

"BREAKING: Emergency medical personnel have been called backstage minutes before SmackDown. Reports are that a WWE Superstar was attacked backstage, but have yet to be confirmed."

BREAKING: Emergency medical personnel have been called backstage minutes before #SmackDown. Reports are that a WWE Superstar was attacked backstage, but have yet to be confirmed.

Tune in to @USANetwork at 8/7c for more as this story unfolds. pic.twitter.com/jsrRGVmZvj

— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2026

As the show went live, it was revealed to be Jey Uso who was attacked and left for dead. Uso was loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance, with his cousin Jacob Fatu at his side, demanding that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis find the attacker.

Jacob Fatu wants to be in the Elimination Chamber to get to Drew McIntyre

Nick Aldis told him he’ll take it into consideration 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/sp7Tmc8byP

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) February 28, 2026

The atmosphere backstage was described as chaotic in the immediate aftermath. The attacker's identity remains unknown at this time.

Jey Uso's participation in the Men's Elimination Chamber on February 28, 2026, is now seriously in question. The match features six competitors — Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, LA Knight, Trick Williams, Je'Von Evans, and Uso — with the winner earning a shot at Drew McIntyre's Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

Social media speculation has already begun over whether a replacement — such as Oba Femi or a returning superstar — could be inserted into the match should Uso be deemed unable to compete.

Paul Heyman asks Nick Aldis to put Logan Paul in the Chamber Match tomorrow night after Jey Uso got taken out.

Aldis says there’s a lot of politics at play and will make some calls.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/AVCoc9MUgt

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) February 28, 2026