WWE Elimination Chamber 2026: Results, Highlights, and WrestleMania Implications

The WWE Elimination Chamber event, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Chicago, delivered several significant outcomes, setting the stage for WrestleMania 42 in April. Rhea Ripley and Randy Orton emerged victorious from their respective Elimination Chamber matches, earning coveted title shots. The event also featured championship defenses, surprising debuts, and a controversial finish to a highly anticipated match.

Championship Showdowns and Title Changes

AJ Lee made a triumphant return to WWE, capturing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch. This marked Lee’s first title win since 2014 [WWE Official Site]. CM Punk successfully defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor in a hard-fought contest [ESPN]. Dominik Mysterio also defended his Intercontinental Title against Penta.

Elimination Chamber Match Results

Women’s Elimination Chamber

Rhea Ripley secured her place at WrestleMania 42, winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber match and earning a title opportunity against Jade Cargill [ESPN].

Men’s Elimination Chamber

Randy Orton achieved a stunning victory in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, pinning Cody Rhodes – with assistance from Drew McIntyre – to earn a title shot. Following the match, Nick Aldis, the “SmackDown” General Manager, announced that McIntyre will face Cody Rhodes this Friday to determine who Orton will challenge at WrestleMania [CBS Sports].

Surprises and Controversies

The event featured several unexpected moments. Seth Rollins was revealed as the masked attacker who had been targeting Logan Paul, eliminating him from the Chamber [CBS Sports]. Danhausen also made his WWE debut, appearing from a crate during the event, a reveal that generated a mixed reaction from fans [ESPN].

Looking Ahead to WrestleMania 42

With Ripley and Orton securing their WrestleMania opportunities, the road to WrestleMania 42 is becoming increasingly clear. The upcoming match between Rhodes and McIntyre promises to be a heated contest, with the winner facing Orton for a world title. Fans can also anticipate the clash between Ripley and Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship. The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on April 17th [WWE Official Site].