WWE Elimination Chamber 2026: Results, Takeaways, and Road to WrestleMania 42
The Road to WrestleMania 42 took a significant turn at WWE Elimination Chamber, held in Chicago on Saturday, March 1, 2026. The event featured intense competition, shocking moments, and solidified key matchups for the upcoming WrestleMania spectacular.
Championship Showdowns and WrestleMania Implications
The Elimination Chamber event served as the final major stop before WrestleMania 42, with winners of the Chamber matches earning the right to challenge for world titles at the “Grandest Stage of Them All.” Royal Rumble winners, Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan, had already selected their WrestleMania opponents – CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship and Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship, respectively – leaving the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and the WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill for the Elimination Chamber victors to face.
Men’s Elimination Chamber Match: A Battle of Contenders
The Men’s Elimination Chamber match featured a formidable lineup: Randy Orton, LA Knight, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Logan Paul. The grueling contest ultimately saw a clear path for Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania opponent.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match: A Shocking Turn of Events
The Women’s Elimination Chamber match delivered a standout performance from Raquel Rodriguez, who delivered a moment reminiscent of Roman Reigns. The match participants included Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Kiana James, and Liv Morgan.
Rodriguez made a significant impact by delivering a running powerslam to Kiana James through a pod, damaging the structure. She followed this up by eliminating both Asuka and James with a double pin, a maneuver previously executed by Roman Reigns against Edge and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 37. Rhea Ripley emerged victorious, defeating Tiffany Stratton after eliminating Rodriguez with a flipping senton and a Riptide.
Championship Matches: Punk Retains, Lee Claims Gold
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor
In a hard-fought battle in his hometown of Chicago, CM Punk successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor. The match featured a back-and-forth exchange, with Punk briefly bleeding from the mouth during the contest. Punk ultimately prevailed with a Go To Sleep, securing his place at WrestleMania 42 against Roman Reigns.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee
AJ Lee made a triumphant return to singles competition, defeating Becky Lynch to capture the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The match was marked by strategic targeting of Lynch’s arm and a controversial finish involving an incapacitated referee and a Black Widow submission.
Danhausen Arrives in WWE
A mysterious box that had been appearing on Raw and SmackDown finally opened during Elimination Chamber, revealing Danhausen and a group of women in Danhausen face paint. The segment ended abruptly with a power outage, leaving fans intrigued about Danhausen’s role in WWE.
Looking Ahead to WrestleMania 42
WWE Elimination Chamber successfully set the stage for WrestleMania 42. With CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripley challenging Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship, the event promises to be a memorable one. The victory of AJ Lee adds another compelling storyline to the WrestleMania card.