Elimination Chamber 2026: Chicago is the first time the Elimination Chamber PLE has been in the United States since 2021. This is usually the last hurdle to go over before we see the true roadmap to Wrestlemania. What changes can we see before heading to Las Vegas for Wrestlemania 42?
Singles Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
CM Punk (c) vs Finn Bálor
Allen: As much as I love Finn Bálor, this may be another night of Pinn Bálor. What I would love is to see Judgment Day turn on Finn so he can finally get out of the group. Maybe go up against Dirty Dom at Wrestlemania and bring back The Demon. It’s just filler to have Punk look good in his hometown and have a great match. The winner is CM Punk.
Greg: I would like to think that the fed will be less predictable and put the belt on stupid sexy Bálor to shake things up and give him the proper title reign he should have had so many moons ago. But going against the grain is not the way for the WWE these days. Punk is not going to lose in his hometown and will head into Wrestlemania as champ. Winner: CM Punk. Losers: All of us who want stupid sexy Bálor to win.
BigFreaky: I don’t know how you don’t pick CM Punk in his hometown. He is one of the few who actually win at home instead of being humiliated. I’m gonna really go out on a limb for this one. Bálor wins.
Justin: CM Punk will take the win here. As much as I want Finn to be on top of the mountain again, it’s definitely not the time for Punk to lose the belt. Also, with the slight friction between Balor and Dom, they could utilize that as a way for Finn to lose against CM Punk, which potentially sets up a match between the two Judgment Day members.
Singles Match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs AJ Lee
Allen: I’ve been enjoying the Becky meltdowns whenever AJ shows up. However, I’m not sure I like the idea of the IC championship on a part-timer. Even with that viewpoint, I would see the hometown couple going out with double championship wins. Becky can get the IC title back at Wrestlemania. My pick is for AJ Lee as the new IC champion.
Greg: Shit, another predictable outcome. If Punk ain’t losing, neither is his wife. I’m not excited about this at all. I’m sure it will be a passable match, but all the drama has been sucked out of the story so far. This is one case where I think blue-balling and holding out until WrestleMania for a bigger payoff would work. But I have no faith in the Fed to wait to put the belt on AJ. Winner: AJ Lee
BigFreaky: I expect a screwy finish to Punk/Bálor, I expect a screwy finish to this. Becky to retain.
Justin: It’s Chicago. I have AJ Lee walking out with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. A feel-good moment for the hometown couple. The only hesitation I have is that, story-wise, I’m not sure where they could go after this to keep it interesting. Would Becky chasing a rematch at WrestleMania really be that compelling?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Match for an Undisputed WWE Championship match at Wrestlemania 42
Randy Orton vs LA Knight vs Cody Rhodes vs Je’Von Evans vs Trick Williams vs Jey Uso
Allen: I will probably go out on a limb and choose LA Knight. He and Drew can be a great Mania match. Maybe Cody and Randy can finally have a grudge match, or something, after Orton finally turns on Rhodes. Trick, being the only heel, sadly, after Bronson Reed’s injury on Monday, will have him going up against everyone and probably be the first one eliminated.
Greg: Well, this is an interesting lineup of competitors. I don’t think Je’Von has a chance in this one. But he will do something death-defying and stupid to pop the crowd. I think that’s a given. I sure as hell hope they don’t stop the match for Jey Uso to do his fucking yeet shit if he isn’t first or second to start. Whoever is in the ring with him should blast his ass into a pod instead if he appears in the middle of the match. So the only credible picks for this match are everyone’s favourite negro Raheem and the two white guys. I think the white guy who isn’t Randy deserves a shot at Drew. Winner: LA Knight.
BigFreaky: We all know, Ya bouncy boy ain’t gonna win, but he’s gonna try to kill himself somehow. This is a tough one for sure. I gotta give it to LA Knight. His flame burns no matter what seems to happen. The crowd still loves him so much. Let’s throw them a bone.
Justin: Trust me, I want LA Knight to win. But every time I get my hopes up, WWE seems to laugh in my face and squash any idea of that ever happening. The process of elimination accounts for much of this prediction. I think they’re going with the obvious and safe option: Cody Rhodes. There have been some reports about them considering a multi-man match for Drew’s WWE Championship, which could be interesting given how great Triple H’s NXT multi-man bouts were. But we’ll see. Ultimately, I hope I’m wrong about LA Knight.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match for a World Championship match at Wrestlemania 42
Tiffany Straton vs Rhea Ripley vs Alexa Bliss vs Asuka vs Kiana James vs Raquel Rodriuguez
Allen: Alexa Bliss will win. Charlotte Flair will somehow muscle her way into the match and make it a Triple Threat. Jade Cargill will have a way to win when we finally see the Charlotte/Alexa tension come to light at the worst time. I don’t really see Rhea winning, as she may be on tag team title duty with Iyo at Mania.
Greg: So Jade is still champ on SmackDown, right? I’m of the mindset of who is the best to pair with her to accentuate her strengths and cover up her botches for a good to great match. So I think that’s either Rhea or Tiffy. Winner: Tiffany Stratton.
BigFreaky: Big Mami Cool is my pick. I don’t know how it makes sense, but it’s what I want. Give her a Mania moment. Pick: Raquel Rodriuquez
Justin: I’d love an Alexa Bliss win and to see how it affects her dynamic with Charlotte, good or bad. Raquel would also be interesting if they wanted to connect both women’s title stories somehow, but that might be too convoluted for them. WWE usually plays it safe, so I’m predicting Tiffany Stratton wins the Chamber.
Predictions Count
I’m going to try to keep a tally of our predictions this year, starting with the Royal Rumble results.
Allen 1-4
Greg 2-4
BigFreaky 3-4
Justin 3-4
Royal Rumble Results
Congrats to our first double winner in our Royal Rumble pool, Ping! He got the numbers 14 and 26 this year, and Liv Morgan came in at 14, and Roman Reigns entered at 26.
