WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Predictions, Card, Matches, Start Time, Rumors by NWO Sparrow

Quick WWE Elimination Chamber Predictions List

Men’s Elimination Chamber: Randy Orton

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Rhea Ripley

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (retains)

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (retains)

If you’ve been watching the product closely, something feels… off. Usually by this point on the road to WrestleMania, the energy is undeniable. Storylines tighten up, stakes feel real, and every segment carries that “this matters” weight. Right now, it feels more like WWE is running a proven system on cruise control rather than building toward something unforgettable. The formula works, sure, but it’s starting to show its seams.

Angles have been recycled a little too often...The Masked Man, key players are sidelined, and several top titles feel like they’re waiting for direction instead of driving it. The Undisputed WWE Championship scene around Drew McIntyre lacks urgency. The women’s division has star power, but not all of it feels aligned for a WrestleMania moment just yet. And injuries to names like Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker and now Bronson Reed have clearly forced pivots behind the curtain on Raw.

That said, this is exactly where Elimination Chamber comes in. This is the last real opportunity to inject life into WrestleMania season. If WWE wants to flip the switch, this is the night to do it.

Let’s get into the picks.

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match

Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams vs. Jey Uso Winner earns Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42

This one feels straightforward on the surface, but there’s room for chaos underneath. Randy Orton is the safest and most logical choice here. He brings instant credibility to any WrestleMania main event, and WWE trusts him in high-pressure spots. If the goal is to stabilize the title picture heading into Mania, Orton is your guy. But the real story isn’t just about who wins, it’s about what happens around Cody Rhodes.

Cody not winning here feels intentional. There’s a growing sense that his WrestleMania direction is shifting away from the title and toward something more personal and violent. Enter Jacob Fatu. If WWE pulls the trigger on that collision, expect something to go down inside or immediately after the Chamber that costs Cody the match and sets that feud in motion. LA Knight is the wildcard fans will rally behind, but WWE hasn’t shown enough commitment to suggest he’s getting this spot. Jey Uso and the NXT standouts will have moments, but not the finish.

Prediction: Randy Orton wins

Bold call: Cody Rhodes is taken out in a way that directly sets up a WrestleMania feud with Jacob Fatu.

Women’s Elimination Chamber Match- Tiffany Stratton vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez- Winner earns WWE Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 42

This is the most unpredictable match on the card, but once you break it down, the path becomes clearer. Let’s eliminate a few names first. Asuka and Alexa Bliss bring star power, but neither feels positioned for a WrestleMania title push right now. Kiana James is still building. Tiffany Stratton is impressive, but revisiting old ground doesn’t feel like the play. Raquel Rodriguez makes sense on paper, but WWE hasn’t fully committed to her at that top-tier level just yet.That leaves Rhea Ripley.

She’s still the anchor of the division. She carries presence, credibility, and big-match energy. More importantly, she feels like a WrestleMania lock every year at this point. Pairing her with Jade Cargill on that stage gives you a true spectacle match built on power, aura, and star presence.

Prediction: Rhea Ripley wins

What to watch: Ripley eliminating multiple competitors in dominant fashion to reinforce her status heading into a clash with Jade Cargill.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship - Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee

Quietly, this has been one of the more enjoyable builds on the card. AJ Lee returning added a jolt of unpredictability, and while some of the segments leaned a bit theatrical, it’s at least felt different from everything else on the show. That matters right now. Becky Lynch, meanwhile, has done exactly what you want from a champion. She’s made the title feel relevant and has carried herself like someone who understands the assignment.

There’s a strong emotional case for AJ Lee winning. The comeback story, the moment, the nostalgia. But WWE tends to lean on stability heading into WrestleMania, and Becky as champion offers more flexibility in terms of potential matchups.

Prediction: Becky Lynch retains

X-factor: If AJ Lee wins, it’s purely for the moment, not long-term direction.

World Heavyweight Championship - CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor

If WWE wanted to shock everyone, this is where they’d do it. Finn Bálor is credible, experienced, and more than capable of carrying the title. A win here would instantly change the tone of WrestleMania season. But let’s be real. This match is happening in Chicago. CM Punk is not losing the World Heavyweight Championship in his hometown. Not in this spot. Not with WrestleMania around the corner and a likely blockbuster program with Roman Reigns looming. Balor will push him, and this should be one of the best matches on the card from an in-ring standpoint. But the outcome feels locked.

Prediction: CM Punk retains

Expectation: A strong, competitive match that elevates Bálor without derailing Punk’s WrestleMania trajectory.

Elimination Chamber isn’t just another stop this year. It feels like a correction point. WWE has the pieces in place for a strong WrestleMania, but the board needs to be reset with intention. This show should clarify directions, create urgency, and remind people why this season matters in the first place. If it doesn’t, the “autopilot” feeling only gets louder. If it does, we might look back at this event as the night WrestleMania season finally woke up. And im sorry to all those to listened to me during the Royal Rumble , my score was 1-3 , I was not proud of that , however i was going through something personal during the Rumble and my head was not in the game. But dont let that one time ruin the good streak we have been on .