The WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 is just around the corner, marking the final major stop before WrestleMania 42. This year’s event will take place in Chicago, Illinois, at the United Center and marks the first time WWE returns to this location since SummerSlam 1994.

And after the disappointment that was this year’s Royal Rumble back in January, this event carries a different kind of weight. The Elimination Chamber is where direction is decided. It’s where uncertainty begins to narrow. Where speculation turns into clarity. Where the stories WWE has been building (sometimes carefully, sometimes … not so much) finally reveal where they’re going. With two Elimination Chamber matches set to determine new number one contenders, the outcomes will directly shape the championship landscape heading into WrestleMania. Careers can change in a single night. Alliances can shift. And decisions made inside the Chamber will define which stories move forward — and which ones don’t.

In this preview, I’ll break down how the Elimination Chamber match works, look at the confirmed participants on both the men’s and women’s side, explore the key matches of the event, and look into the questions and mysteries that could define WWE’s Road to WrestleMania.

If you haven’t read my full Royal Rumble review yet, you can find it here: The 2026 Royal Rumble Aftermath: Confusion, Chaos, & A Few Bright Spots

What Is The WWE Elimination Chamber Match?

The Elimination Chamber match is one of WWE’s most brutal and unforgiving match formats. Introduced in 2002, the Elimination Chamber is a no-disqualification match competed inside a massive steel cage. This steel cage surrounds the ring, as well as four plexiglass pods, each holding one of the competitors.

Out of the six qualified participants, two start inside the ring while the other four are locked in their pods. As the match progresses, one pod opens at timed intervals, introducing a new participant into the chaos. Unlike the Royal Rumble, where elimination occurs by throwing someone over the top rope, competitors in the Elimination Chamber can only be eliminated by pinfall or submission. The last person remaining earns a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42.

The Chamber itself creates an environment where there is literally nowhere to escape and very little room for error. The match format itself adds to the unpredictability. Early entrants are forced to survive the longest, while later entrants benefit from entering a match where their opponents are already exhausted and vulnerable, but must quickly adapt to the match already in motion. The Elimination Chamber doesn’t just test strength. It tests endurance. Awareness. Timing. And most importantly, survival.

In addition to both the men’s and the women’s Elimination Chamber matches, this year’s PLE will also host a match for the men’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

The Qualifying Matches: Both A Blessing And A Curse

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Qualification

The qualifying matches for this year’s Women’s Elimination Chamber began on February 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Tiffany Stratton secured the first spot by defeating Chelsea Green and Lash Legend. This was an entertaining match, and having Tiffany back in the ring is exciting to watch. Unfortunately, Chelsea Green suffered a broken ankle during the match, putting her WrestleMania status at risk.

On RAW in Cleveland, Ohio, Rhea Ripley faced Lyra Valkyria and Ivy Nile, with Rhea emerging victorious. While I’m incredibly happy to see Rhea enter the Chamber, I would’ve loved to see Lyra win. That said, Ivy Nile truly impressed me here — her performance was the highlight of the match.

Further southwest in Dallas, Texas, Alexa Bliss defeated Zelina Vega and Giulia to qualify. While this was my least favorite women’s qualifying match overall, Alexa winning was the right and deserved outcome.

In Memphis, Tennessee, Asuka earned her spot by defeating Bayley and Natalya. To be honest, I wasn’t particularly invested in this matchup to begin with, and compared to the other qualified participants, Asuka’s win doesn’t currently add much excitement for me personally.

SmackDown on February 20 delivered what ended up being my favorite women’s qualifying match. Kiana James defeated Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax in a standout performance. While I initially rooted for Charlotte, especially hoping to see the Charlexa storyline explored further, Kiana completely won me over. Her performance felt like a true breakout moment, and I’m very curious to see where this leads. (Spoiler: I may have a theory about this, which I’ll get into later.)

The final spot went to Raquel Rodriguez, who defeated Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane. This was a match where any of the three could have won and justified their place, both from a storyline and in-ring perspective. Raquel’s victory was deserved, though the match itself didn’t feel particularly memorable.

Confirmed Participants – Women

The Women’s Elimination Chamber match will determine who earns a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42. This career-defining moment could reshape the entire women’s division. After weeks of qualifying matches across RAW and SmackDown, the six confirmed participants are:

Tiffany Stratton vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez

This lineup presents a fascinating mix of established dominance, returning influence, and rising momentum, making this year’s Women’s Elimination Chamber one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

Men’s Elimination Chamber: Qualification

The qualifying matches for the Men’s Elimination Chamber delivered a mix of expected outcomes, surprising breakthroughs, and ongoing bad luck with injuries.

In North Carolina, Randy Orton secured his spot by defeating Aleister Black and Solo Sikoa — an expected and reasonable outcome, reinforcing his position as one of WWE’s most reliable forces heading into WrestleMania season.

The week after, on February 9, LA Knight defeated Penta and Austin Theory in a match that quickly became overshadowed by outside interference. Logan Paul and Bronson Reed both inserted themselves into the chaos, but the moment that truly stood out was the masked man’s return. Striking once again, he took out Austin Theory, allowing LA Knight to secure the victory. This incident only deepened the mystery surrounding the masked figure: something I’ll return to later in this article.

By the end of the week, the most talked-about qualifying match was set: Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Sami Zayn. And yes, I can already hear everyone collectively sighing at the thought of any of them facing Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, but the way this match was constructed actually matters. The segment beforehand was genuinely one of the strongest parts of the entire build. Drew got completely into Sami’s head, and for a moment, it really felt like Sami might overcome everything stacked against him. Emotionally, it would have made perfect sense. Which is exactly why seeing Cody win instead felt both understandable and slightly frustrating at the same time – as it should. Because while Cody winning was the safe and logical choice, Sami winning would have been the brave one.

One of the biggest surprises on the Road to Elimination Chamber was Je’Von Evans defeating both “The Ring General” Gunther and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. I’ve been a fan of Je’Von since his debut, and his high-flying style brings a different kind of energy to the match. While Dragon Lee’s interference played a role in making this outcome believable, it also protected Gunther’s current position as the big bad heel of the company. Having Gunther lose cleanly at this stage could have weakened his aura, while placing him inside the Chamber would have made him the overwhelming favorite, limiting the unpredictability of the match.

SmackDown is currently owned by one man, and one man only. That didn’t change in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest and Carmelo Hayes to secure his spot in the Elimination Chamber, and honestly, there was never any doubt. Trick’s presence alone has shifted the energy of SmackDown completely. No brainer. Amazing.

Last but not least … well, last and least, to be honest: Jey Uso defeated “The Original” El Grande Americano and Bronson Reed, but the match’s direction was clearly disrupted by Bronson Reed’s injury. It was painfully obvious that Bronson was meant to win this match. Everything pointed toward him being a major force inside the Chamber, and then the injury happened. While injuries are unpredictable, this moment could have been used to create something unexpected and compelling. There was a lack of spontaneity – WWE had an opportunity here and missed it. With the entirely bizarre and unnecessary El Grande Americano and “The Original” El Grande Americano storyline already in motion, this could have been the perfect moment to lean into the chaos. Bring out the other El Grande Americano. Pull a complete AAA-style switch like with the qualifier for Rey De Reyes. Turn confusion into storytelling. The match itself was okay-ish, but it ultimately lost its emotional impact once Bronson was taken out of the equation. Jey Uso’s qualifying wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t exciting either.

Confirmed Participants – Men

Identical to the women’s match, the men’s Elimination Chamber will determine who earns a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42. After weeks of qualification matches filled with chaos, interference, and unexpected breakthroughs, the six competitors entering the Chamber are:

Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams vs. Jey Uso

This lineup represents six very different paths to WrestleMania: some are chasing redemption, others are proving they belong, and some are here to take control of WWE’s future.

Championship Matches at Elimination Chamber

While the Elimination Chamber matches themselves will define WrestleMania contenders, the two championship matches on the card carry just as much emotional weight, maybe even more.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match

“The Man” Becky Lynch will defend her WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship against WWE legend AJ Lee, who is set to compete in her first singles match in over a decade. RAW on February 09 opened with an incredible segment that reopened their rivalry. AJ Lee walked in and immediately got under Becky’s skin, pulling her into something that felt less like a challenge and more like unfinished business. After last year’s storyline of Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins facing AJ Lee and CM Punk, seeing this rivalry continue, this time with just the wifeys facing off, it feels like the natural next chapter. And honestly, I couldn’t be more excited.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match

Finn Balor will challenge CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in what has quickly become one of the most emotionally compelling matches on the card.
Their confrontation on RAW on February 09, especially Finn stating “I’m done being the afterthought,” was one of the strongest segments of the entire build. It didn’t just set up a match, but reestablished Finn in the storyline and allowed him to grow, also looking at a possible Judgement Day split.

After the disappointment of Roman Reigns winning the Royal Rumble, this feud has the potential to completely reshape the championship picture. Bringing Finn into this title storyline again feels like the right move, but it also comes with risk. If WWE puts Finn back into this position only to have him lose again, it will, quite frankly, damage his credibility and make him look like an idiot. Finn Balor is too important, too established, and too compelling of a character to be treated like a stepping stone.

This match has the potential to elevate everything around it – WWE just has to let it.

Who Will Leave Elimination Chamber Victorious? My Prediction

For the Elimination Chamber matches, I’m not looking at it from the standpoint of “Who has the skill to win this match?” but more “Who could realistically handle a title match at WrestleMania?”

The Winner Of The Women’s Chamber Match

I’m going with Kiana James. Now hear me out: while Rhea Ripley feels like the most obvious choice and is the one who could realistically challenge Jade Cargill, it wouldn’t make sense for her to go after a SmackDown title. In addition, I think that Rhea will have a Tag Team match at WrestleMania. The same logic applies to Alexa Bliss. Her story right now clearly aligns with Charlotte Flair, and everything suggests their focus will remain on the Tag Team titles rather than shifting into a singles championship feud. Asuka, while always a credible threat, doesn’t feel like the right match for Jade Cargill, nor would it make sense for her to go to SmackDown.

Now, why Kiana James and not Tiffany Stratton? As much as Tiffany would be the safer and more expected choice, and as much as I want Jade Cargill to be dethroned, Kiana winning opens far more interesting possibilities. Because I don’t believe Kiana James wins the Chamber to challenge Jade Cargill. She will go for the WWE United States Women’s Title from Giulia, allowing her to break away from the Tag Team dynamic and position herself for a singles push. It’s unexpected. It’s strategic. And it makes sense.

I really did cook here, right?

The Winner Of The Men’s Chamber Match

This is trickier to predict than the women’s match, but for very different reasons.

I’m ruling out Je’Von Evans first. As much as I love what he brings to the ring, it would simply be too early in his career to move directly into a WrestleMania-level championship match. Unfortunately, I’m also ruling out LA Knight. This one hurts to say. It feels like WWE has slowly lost confidence in him as a main title contender. Also, going for the SmackDown title against Drew just doesn’t seem realistic. Which leaves Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and Cody Rhodes. All three make sense. And all three could realistically challenge Drew McIntyre.

Randy Orton always feels like a threat in matches like this. His experience alone makes him dangerous. But he feels like the least urgent choice. His victory wouldn’t move the story forward in a meaningful way (… except if he turned out to have attacked Jacob Fatu. Then the stakes are significantly different).

Trick Williams, on the other hand, feels like the future standing in the present. He has the presence, the charisma, and the in-ring ability. It might feel early, but he is ready.

And then there’s Cody Rhodes. Despite the criticism he receives, I don’t believe Cody is the problem in this story. Yes, he is a classic Vanilla Babyface, maybe the most vanilla of them all, but that alone isn’t a flaw. This is exactly what works for him. What hasn’t worked is the lack of clarity surrounding Jacob Fatu’s intentions and the pacing of that storyline. Cody has remained consistent. Him being furious about losing his beloved title is understandable, while the story around him has struggled to fully connect. Which is exactly why Cody winning here makes sense.

I’m crossing my fingers for Trick Williams, but eventually, will go with Cody Rhodes as a winner.

The Title Matches: Becky Lynch vs AJ Lee

Starting with Big Time Becks against AJ Lee: I really need Becky Lynch to stay champion. If she doesn’t, this match risks feeling corrupted (and that’s not just me saying it). Becky is the greatest heel in this company and arguably the greatest female wrestler of all time (Sports Illustrated says it, and the Bleacher Report says it, too). I see this feud going far beyond Elimination Chamber, all the way to WrestleMania, but for that to work, AJ Lee needs to remain present on RAW. This can’t be a one-off return. This story needs time to unfold properly.
Prediction: Becky Lynch retains, and the rivalry continues.

The Title Matches: CM Punk vs Finn Balor

Please, dear god, let Finn Balor defeat CM Punk. Don’t get me wrong, I love CM Punk as champion. His presence alone has elevated the title. But bringing Finn into this position only to have him lose again would make no sense. Finn doesn’t need another reminder that he can’t win the big one. He is not an afterthought anymore.
Prediction: Finn Balor defeats CM Punk ( … now imagine how fun it would be to somehow get Seth Rollins back on Saturday already – then challenging the new champ Finn: both had to give up their title once due to a shoulder injury … just saying)

What Else Is In Store?

The Masked Man: An Identity Yet To Be Uncovered

So far, the masked man has targeted only members of The Vision. That can’t be a coincidence.

His first appearance came at the 2026 Royal Rumble, when Bron Breakker was taken out in a moment that felt less like interference and more like a warning. The second followed on February 09, when Austin Theory was attacked during his Elimination Chamber qualifying match, which directly altered the outcome. Most recently, Logan Paul became the next victim during a Tag Team match on February 17. Three attacks. Three members of The Vision. One pattern impossible to ignore.

After the initial attack on Bron Breakker, speculation spiraled immediately. Names like Austin Theory, Logan Paul, his brother Jake Paul, Grayson Waller, Finn Balor, and even a returning Dean Ambrose (aka Jon Moxley) or Buddy Murphy were thrown into the conversation. At one point, even scrapdaddyap’s involvement didn’t feel entirely impossible. Of course, Seth Rollins’ name was also on the table. But as the attacks went on, several possibilities could be ruled out for sure. It wasn’t Austin Theory. It wasn’t Logan Paul. And it wasn’t Jake Paul, who was confirmed to be at the Winter Olympics in Milano supporting his girlfriend Jutta Leerdam. Adam Pearce’s involvement also became increasingly unlikely.

Which leaves the real question: is there one masked man, or more than one? Right now, Grayson Waller, acting as a proxy for Seth Rollins, feels like the most logical answer – even though it’s not the most interesting.

I just hope WWE doesn’t wait too long for the reveal. We’ve seen masked storylines lose their momentum and impact before: when the answer finally comes, it has to feel worth the mystery.

The Wooden Container: More Headache for Adam and Nick?

During RAW on February 16, a wooden crate with a clear message appeared: “Deliver to WWE. Do not open until 02/28/26”. Naturally, Adam Pearce wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. After weeks of chaos, surprise attacks, and losing control over his own roster, his reaction felt both hilarious and deeply relatable. Nick Aldis, of course, refused to take responsibility as well, sending it right back. Which leaves the crate exactly where it started. Unclaimed. Unopened. Waiting.

The questions are: What’s inside? And why does it need to arrive at Elimination Chamber?

If I had to guess, two possibilities immediately come to mind: Seth Rollins or Finn Balor’s demon. Both would instantly create a new problem and more headaches for CM Punk.
But there’s also another possibility. What if the crate isn’t about who is inside but what it becomes? An additional pod. A seventh entrant. Something no one is prepared for.

Whatever it is, one thing feels certain: when that crate opens, everything changes. (At least that’s what I hope for. With WWE Creative Team you never know …)

Final Thoughts

SmackDown on Friday, the night before WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, will take place live in Louisville, Kentucky. It remains to be seen how things unfold there, and whether the final pieces fall into place before the Chamber itself. Looking at the current (pretty miserable) situation surrounding WrestleMania 42, WWE really needs to outdo itself. Injuries have left big gaps across the roster, major storylines are still searching for direction, and uncertainty seems to exist everywhere you look. Even ticket sales reflect that something isn’t fully connecting yet. With WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 coming up, WWE has a chance. They just need to take it.

What do you think will happen on Saturday? Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram here.

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