The 2026 Elimination Chamber, AKA Elimination Chamber: Chicago, was the the 16th Elimination Chamber event. It took place on February 28, 2026, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Is was the first Elimination Chamber event to livestream on the ESPN app in the United States, and the first televised WWE event to be held at the United Center since the 1994 SummerSlam.
(All photos courtesy WWE.com)
WWE Elimination Chamber 2026: Overhyped Structure, Underwhelming Storytelling
Elimination Chamber (2026) was … fine? But not much better than that. Before we get into the matches one-by-one, let’s just say this felt like WWE checked a bunch of boxes without really giving fans something worth checking off.
Women’s Elimination Chamber: Rhea Wins
Rhea Ripley took the women’s Chamber, which means she gets a crack at the WWE Women’s Title at WrestleMania. Honestly, that booking makes too much sense — and that’s sort of the problem. Ripley has been main-eventing Mania cards for what feels like a REALLY long time now. Don’t get me wrong… I’m a MASSIVE Rhea fan but I was sort of thinking (hoping?) that they’d go in a different direction with her this year. I’ve GOT to think we’re headed for a Rhea / Iyo match somewhere down the line. Maybe Iyo costs Rhea the title at Mania?
Tiffany Stratton would have been my pick. She ready to deliver fresh Mania match ups – and let’s not gloss over just how WHITE HOT she looked. I wanted Tiffany here — she’s got that momentum — and WWE just keeps handing Ripley predictable victories instead of building someone new. This should have been Tiffany’s spotlight. Sadly, regardless of who won the Chamber, they’ve got Jade Cargill waiting for them who’s just plan terrible.
Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee: Homecoming Snooze
Everyone knew AJ Lee was winning this the second the home-town pop hit. Right? And while it should have been a feel-good moment — AJ gets her first title in over a decade — the match itself was forgettable.
There was no real heat, no urgency, and no real reason this feud needed to happen here. It just existed to give AJ a win in her hometown. Sure, fine, but that doesn’t make for compelling storytelling or a great match. The whole thing felt like a bubblegum distraction, not a memorable chapter.
Does AJ win here if they’re not in Chicago with Punk on the card? I sort of doubt it. This was all about the ‘let’s have them pose together in their home town’.
Punk vs. Balor: The One Match That Delivered
I won’t bury the lead here… I’m a massive CM Punk fan so take what I’m about to say with a grain of salt.
Punk and Balor put on the best in-ring bout of the night. Strikes, counters, pride, momentum swings — this felt like a wrestling match, not just a move-set showcase.
And yes, this was Chicago, so Punk retaining basically felt like rooting for the home team. But there was heart here, and — rare for this card — a genuine connection to the crowd. It was legitimately fun to watch.
Men’s Elimination Chamber: Okay… But Why Not LA Knight?
Right out of the gate… I’m a fan of this result. But can someone explain what LA Knight has to do at this point to break through? Seriously. He’s insanely over with crowds, carries his matches, and still gets dumped before the final two in the Chamber?
I’m glad it wasn’t Cody Rhodes — seriously — but Knight should’ve been the one standing tall here. Though, I’ll admit, his botch in the match didn’t help. Maybe that was a work? And that’s the story we’re ultimately getting? Probably not… but a guy can dream.
At the end, after some fucker from Drew, we get Orton, and the crowd (who’d been not awesome all night with the exception of for Punk) reacted appropriately: polite applause, not passionate. As I said, I like Orton winning here, but I’d be shocked if it was Orton vs. Drew one on one. I think there’s more changes coming.
Danhausen’s WWE Debut: What. The. Fuck.
Of all the baffling moments this weekend, Danhausen’s debut was the weirdest. He gets brought out of a coffin with some spooky dancers, does nothing, then disappears. That’s it.
Now, I have to say… I’m not all that familiar with his work in AEW and I’m willing to reserve judgment. But from the folks I’d talked to, his promos were the thing that made him stand out. WWE didn’t even let him speak. They introduced him like he was a rejected Halloween prop. To most WWE fans, he’s already Gobbledy Gooker now. Bad first impression, bad vibes, bad all around.
Overall: Build to WrestleMania Is Struggling
There were flashes here and there — Punk vs. Balor was genuinely good, AJ’s hometown moment landed, and sure some winners make sense — but the bigger narrative is still muddled.
- Two Mania shows in a row in Vegas? Already a fatigue factor brewing.
- Ticket prices are insane. Fans are grumbling.
- The card heading into Mania is last-minute and thin. Yes, I realize there’s a TON of injuries.
- Storytelling still feels like someone forgot to write half the scripts.
There’s fun to be had occasionally, but right now, WWE’s momentum feels like it’s stuck in neutral. They’ve got good performers and flashes of gold — they just need to commit to building real stories with them.
I hate to say it, but with seven weeks left till WrestleMania, this is least excited I’ve been in a long time. Thankfully, Pip will be in town for the first time since 2021 so we’ll get to watch the train wreck together!
Elimination Chamber (2026) – Final Thoughts
A couple of bright spots here, but mostly forgettable. Punk and Balor was clearly the best thing on the card, as it should have been. I’ll have to reserved judgement on Danhausen but for the time being I’m sticking with “What the fuck?” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I still don’t understand how LA Knight is nowhere near where he should be.
What do you think… too harsh? Let me hear from you. We’re well on the Road to WrestleMania!
