HIGHLIGHTS
- WWE Elimination Chamber takes place Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago
- Four confirmed matches, including two Chamber bouts that determine WrestleMania 42 title challengers
- CM Punk defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor in his hometown
- Cody Rhodes and Tiffany Stratton are the leading contenders in their respective Chamber matches
We sit less than two days away from WWE Elimination Chamber in Chicago. It’s the last step before WrestleMania 42. Most of the major storylines ahead of The Showcase of Immortals will be set in the Windy City and there are four confirmed matches for the event.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Event: WWE Elimination Chamber 2026
- Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Venue: United Center — Chicago, Illinois
- Main Card Start: 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM PT
- US Streaming: ESPN (ESPN App / ESPN Unlimited)
- International Streaming: Netflix
- Road to: WrestleMania 42 — April 18–19, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Chicago’s own CM Punk and AJ Lee are both competing for titles in front of a crowd firmly in their corner. Here’s the complete breakdown.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Full Card
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Balor
Punk is the overwhelming favorite to retain in his hometown. Balor’s arc has been genuinely compelling — he left his Judgment Day teammates behind on the final Raw and is hinting at a more self-reliant character.
His stated goal: “rewrite the narrative” after the 2016 Universal Championship injury that derailed his first run. I expect a high-quality match, with the Judgment Day storyline almost certain to spill over. The faction has been fracturing for months.
Men’s Elimination Chamber: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams
(Winner challenges Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42)
I see LA Knight as the man who should emerge victorious, but will WWE actually keep Rhodes out of the main story in WrestleMania 42? Orton is a realistic alternative; The Viper winning and screwing Rhodes on the way out would also make narrative sense.
I expect Evans (21, just promoted to Raw in January) and Williams to have showcase moments that build their stars–but I expect Evans to be eliminated first with Williams potentially being the final elimination.
Women’s Elimination Chamber: Tiffany Stratton vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez
(Winner challenges Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42)
I see Stratton as the leading candidate, with Raquel Rodriguez and Ripley right behind her. Stratton has unfinished business with Cargill, and WWE may be left with nothing else more fully developed than a rematch between the two young stars.
Still, Ripley vs. Cargill is the marquee collision on name recognition, but there’s been no story development — I genuinely can’t call this one.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee
AJ Lee is the heavy favorite, and a win would be her first title in over a decade and the first time a Latina woman holds the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lee returned to help Punk, got Becky stripped of the title, then watched Lynch reclaim it. I think this is the most emotionally loaded match on the card for the Chicago crowd.
What to Expect Beyond the Matches
Raw and SmackDown GMs Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are expected to reveal the contents of a mystery crate during the event. From what I’ve gathered, reports point toward former AEW personality Danhausen, whose contract expired in February 2026. There’s also the Chris Jericho rumors.
WrestleMania 42 is set for April 18–19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Roman Reigns won the Men’s Royal Rumble and has already called his shot on CM Punk.
