WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 takes place Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, featuring title defenses and matches to determine WrestleMania 42 challengers. CM Punk defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor in his hometown, while AJ Lee challenges Becky Lynch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship in her first singles match in over a decade. Expert predictions vary on the outcomes of the Elimination Chamber matches and other bouts.
The WWE Elimination Chamber event streams live at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) on Saturday from the United Center in Chicago, serving as the final premium live event before WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. It includes two Elimination Chamber matches where winners earn title shots at the 'Showcase of the Immortals,' along with championship defenses.
In the World Heavyweight Championship match, CM Punk faces Finn Bálor. Most experts predict Punk retains, citing the importance of preserving his marquee matchup with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Mark Kaboly from WWE.com forecasts Punk defeating Bálor cleanly, followed by an attack from Dominik Mysterio, setting up a potential Intercontinental Championship clash. Rick Ucchino, Zack Heydorn, and Blake Lovell from SI.com agree on Punk's victory, with Heydorn noting Dominik Mysterio's interference against Bálor's wishes. However, Drake Riggs from Yahoo Sports predicts a surprise Bálor win to elevate him before a rematch.
The Women's Intercontinental Championship bout pits Becky Lynch against AJ Lee, who returns for her first singles match in nearly 11 years. Predictions split here: Ucchino favors Lynch retaining, while Heydorn and Lovell see Lee winning to set up a WrestleMania rematch. Kaboly and most Yahoo panelists, including Kel Dansby and Robert Jackman, back Lynch, though some suggest a shady win to extend the feud to April.
The Men's Elimination Chamber features Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Jey Uso, and LA Knight. Consensus leans toward Cody Rhodes winning, as predicted by all SI.com experts and most Yahoo contributors like Jackman and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger, positioning him for a rematch with Drew McIntyre. Dansby pushes for LA Knight to capitalize on momentum.
In the Women's Elimination Chamber with Tiffany Stratton, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kiana James, opinions differ. Ucchino and Heydorn pick Stratton, Lovell and Kaboly select Ripley, while Yahoo's Dansby and Sulla-Heffinger favor Rodriguez to advance Judgment Day storylines, and Riggs backs Ripley for a clash with Jade Cargill.
A mysterious box teased on Raw and SmackDown has sparked speculation. Kaboly guesses a John Cena bronze statue, while others like Ucchino and Riggs humorously suggest Danhausen. The event builds drama toward WrestleMania, with experts emphasizing logical storyline progression over shocks.
