Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Randy Orton came out on top in a Gauntlet Match on Smackdown that helped decide who will be the last superstar to enter the Elimination Chamber on Sunday.
Each superstar taking part in the Elimination Chamber bout including Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Orton, Kofi Kingston of The New Day who is replacing an injured Mustafa Ali and WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, competed in the Gauntlet Match on Tuesday.
Bryan started the mini-tournament off by delivering a speech on how unfair the Elimination Chamber is and how it will likely shorten his career.
The champion took on Kingston in a highly-competitive match that saw Bryan's follower Rowan get involved by attacking Kingston outside the ring. The referee then sent Rowan backstage which gave Kingston enough time to nail Bryan with a Trouble in Paradise for the surprise victory.
Kingston continued on into the Gauntlet, lasting over 60 minutes as he defeated Hardy and then Joe to get to Styles who finally ended the high-flyer's impressive streak after applying his Calf Crusher submission hold.
As Styles prepared to face Orton in the final match, The Viper arrived to the ring from behind and suddenly took out The Phenomenal One with a well placed RKO to win the match.
Orton being able to enter the Elimination Chamber last gives him the best chances to come out the victor on Sunday and be crowned the new WWE Champion.
Also on Smackdown, Charlotte Flair addressed how WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon handpicked her to face Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania instead of Royal Rumble winner Becky Lynch.
The Queen stated that McMahon made a smart business decision when he added her to WrestleMania as she is the backbone of the women's division and Lynch has only had a few successful months.
Flair mockingly said that she would dedicate her WrestleMania victory to Lynch and that she will be watching closely Rousey's match against Ruby Riott on Sunday.
Other moments from Smackdown included Naomi and Carmella defeating Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville and The IIconics; and Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Miz and Shane McMahon having an intense confrontation with The Usos on Miz TV.
