Rhea Ripley emerged victorious in the women's Elimination Chamber match at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, earning a title shot at WrestleMania 42. AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship in a chaotic hometown bout. The event at Chicago's United Center featured high-stakes action leading to WrestleMania.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 took place on February 28, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, serving as the final premium live event before WrestleMania 42 in April. The show began with the women's Elimination Chamber match, featuring Alexa Bliss, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, and Kiana James, with the winner set to challenge WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill.
Tiffany Stratton and Kiana James started the match, trading physical strikes and gymnastics sequences. Asuka entered first, dominating with dropkicks and using the chain barrier for punishment. Alexa Bliss joined next, leading to intense exchanges, including Bliss thwarting a moonsault and climbing a pod for a Twisted Bliss. Asuka misted Bliss, allowing James to pin her for the first elimination.
Raquel Rodriguez entered and dominated, powerbombing Ripley and eliminating Asuka and James with a Tejana Bomb. The final three—Ripley, Rodriguez, and Stratton—traded moves, with Stratton eliminating Rodriguez via Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Ripley then shoved Stratton into a pod and hit a Riptide for the win in 23:42.
Following was the Women's Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee. Lee, in her first singles match in over 10 years, received a huge Chicago reaction. Lynch overpowered early with headlocks and suplexes, but Lee rallied with dropkicks and a tornado DDT. Chaos ensued with an exposed turnbuckle, a referee knockout, and chair use. Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam, but Lee countered into the Black Widow submission twice, forcing taps for the victory in 15:27.
The card also included CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor and the men's Elimination Chamber with Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, LA Knight, Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and Je'Von Evans. Balor told CBS Sports, "The only way to fix that [stain on my career] is by becoming world champion again." The winners advance toward WrestleMania matchups, with Reigns choosing Punk and Morgan selecting Vaquer.
