WWE 2026 Elimination Chamber

On Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, the last ones standing in the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches were Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley. The two earned the right to title challenges at WrestleMania 42.

Elimination Chamber Event

In the men’s elimination event, Orton beat Cody Rhodes, Trick Williams, Logan Paul, LA Knight, and Je’Von Evans with the help of interferences by champion Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins, who had returned to the ring after an injury.

Ripley dominated over Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez in the women’s Elimination Chamber match. This victory earned Ripley her seventh consecutive WrestleMania.

Orton will challenge the winner of Friday’s SmackDown fight between McIntyre and Rhodes. Ripley will face off against WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill.

ESPN reports Ripley’s win was both obvious and predictable, as she was the only real choice. ESPN suggests WWE add a viable contender next time.

ESPN asserts the chamber matches should provide an element of drama for fans.

Going into the men’s Elimination Chamber, Rhodes seemed like a sure thing, and then he would face rival Drew McIntyre in the main event at WrestleMania. Instead, McIntyre interrupted the match, attacking Rhodes when the event was down to two competitors. Orton struck McIntyre with an RKO, appearing to assist Rhodes, then Orton delivered an RKO to Rhodes for the win.

Despite the win, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis announced McIntyre will face Rhodes on Friday, as he is fed up with McIntyre’s interruptions.

Rhodes vs. Orton would be an interesting matchup given their history going back a decade when Orton was Rhodes’ mentor. ESPN says the right move would be for Rhodes to beat McIntyre for the Undisputed Championship on Friday, but questions where that would leave McIntyre for WrestleMania.

Other Card Matches

CM Punk won his match against Finn Balor to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Punk’s wife, AJ Lee, is leaving Chicago’s United Center with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship after her win over Becky Lynch.

The Punk vs. Balor match got Punk a homecoming match in Chicago before defending his championship against Roman Reigns.

Balor has been hinting at splitting from Judgement Day over the past few weeks and demanded he win or lose the match without the help of Dominik Mysterio or JD McDonagh. Balor lost on his own and shook Punk’s hand after it was over. Could this be the start of a new era of Finn Balor?

Lee returned from a decade-long retirement last year. Fans have enjoyed seeing her back in the WWE ring, but can she carry the women’s division? Fans await the announcement of her next competitor and to see if she works with any of the younger talent.

Masked Man Revealed

After weeks of teasers, the masked man was revealed to be Seth “Freaking” Rollins.

ESPN writes: “The former leader of The Vision got his revenge when he curb-stomped Logan Paul, after a little bait and switch with another masked man. Rollins’ interference seemingly cost Paul a win in the Elimination Chamber match. Rollins pulled off the mask to reveal himself, and now we have to figure out where this is going.”

Sources:

WWE: Women’s Elimination Chamber 2026 Match: photos
ESPN: WWE takeaways: Only one surprising outcome at Elimination Chamber
Wrestling News Co: Jade Cargill Accuses Rhea Ripley of Complaining To WWE Writers

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