WWE Elimination Chamber live results: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor, AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch

WWE presents Elimination Chamber tonight at the United Center in Chicago.

Four matches are scheduled for the show, including both the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches.

In the women’s Elimination Chamber match, Tiffany Stratton faces Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez. The winner will challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42.

The men’s Elimination Chamber match features Randy Orton, LA Knight, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Logan Paul. Paul replaces Jey Uso, who was written out of the match via an injury angle on SmackDown. The winner of this match will go on to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

Elsewhere on the show, Becky Lynch defends the women’s Intercontinental Championship against AJ Lee, while CM Punk defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor in his hometown of Chicago.

A mystery crate is also scheduled to be opened.

Our live coverage begins at 7 p.m. Eastern, with the pre-show at 5 p.m.

Show Recap — 

COUNTDOWN SHOW 

Joe Tessitore, Big E, and Wade Barrett hosted the pre-show surrounded by fans outside the United Center in Chicago, where the temperature was just below freezing.

Peter Rosenberg talked about the men’s Chamber match and referred to Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans as rookies. 

They showed footage from the first Elimination Chamber match in 2002, including new and old interviews from those who were in the match. Notably, the only person they did not show was Chris Jericho, even in the old interviews. 

Rosenberg interviewed Paul Levesque about the 2002 match and the matches tonight.

Cathy Kelly interviewed Alexa Bliss about the match. She enjoyed the Chamber match, hoped to win tonight, and knew Charlotte Flair would be cheering her on. 

AJ Lee sit-down interview 

AJ Lee sat down with Michael Cole for an interview. She didn’t think she would be back because she tends to move on from things once she is done with them. But one day she woke up, and the idea of returning became a “maybe,” and once it was “maybe,” it became a “yes.” She retired because she was injured and didn’t have time to take care of it. The physical aspect took a toll on her mental health, and she wasn’t taking care of either. 

Becky Lynch was Mount Everest for her. Lee wanted to prove that she could exist and dominate in two different generations. She could have gone home after beating Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, but she saw Lynch continue to be a bully. Seeing her face made Lee want to beat her face in. It would be great to win the IC title in front of her friends and family, take the belt home and sleep with it. 

Evolution meant fighting to make the world better, but you didn’t necessarily get to enjoy the seeds and sit under the trees. She felt like she built this house and never got to live in it. She knew what she did for the division, and maybe they got here in small part because of her. She wanted to prove to herself more than anyone else that she was championship material in this generation and even the next. 

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They showed wrestlers arriving when the pre-show started, including CM Punk and AJ Lee. They showed a few more here, including the same footage of Punk and Lee, even though it’s been less than an hour. 

Big E said Je’Von Evans will be the first Chamber participant who is younger than the match itself.

Finn Bálor sit-down interview 

Finn Bálor sat down with Corey Graves for an interview. Graves asked about critics who claim Bálor peaked ten years ago. Bálor said he didn’t do this for the critics. He did this for himself, his family and his supporters. He had more supporters than detractors. You can put him in the main event any night, and he’d show he belongs, because he does. 

Bálor has proven himself time and time again in this business, and he was taken for granted. Good ol’ reliable Finn. He might be guilty, too. He was raised to show up, stay quiet and not ask any questions. But the more time he spent around here, the more he realized the squeaky wheel got the grease. Maybe it was time for Bálor to get some grease. 

Belfast was Punk’s night, but it could have been his. He’s proven time and time again that he can stand toe-to-toe with the so-called best in the world. Bálor respected Punk. He respected almost everyone he stepped in the ring with. But Punk wanted to face the real Finn Bálor alone, and that’s what he’s got. 

One match did not define a legacy. That was based on a career. But his career had a stain on it (the SummerSlam shoulder injury). Bálor didn’t need to finish his story—he needed to rewrite the entire narrative and prove that he can be champion.

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There was footage of Kevin Owens and Logan Paul arguing on some show (Paul joined via video). It started as bickering over their video game ratings until Paul gave Owens a hard time for being out. Owens said he took time off because he couldn’t feel his legs, but he was still better than Paul. 

Trick Williams and Kiana James did quick interviews on their Chamber matches.

Chicago-native Hannah Heavin sang the anthem. (Lots of booing in the live YouTube comments.) 

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ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2026 MAIN CARD

The show intro was narrated by CM Punk and was followed by a big fireworks display inside Chicago’s sold-out United Center. Michael Cole claimed an attendance of 19,346. 

Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Finn Bálor, Becky Lynch, AJ Lee and CM Punk were shown at the arena earlier today. 

Women’s Elimination Chamber match: Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Kiana James vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Tiffany Stratton

This is the fifth year in a row that the women’s Chamber match will precede the men’s. 

Entrances took 13 minutes. The opening match began at 7:19 pm ET. 

WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill watched the match from a suite. 

Kiana James and Tiffany Stratton started the match. They set up for a test of strength, and Michael Cole didn’t think that was a good idea for Stratton (a professional bodybuilder). 

Stratton tried a handspring elbow into James as she leaned against a pod, but James moved, and Stratton fell awkwardly into the pod. The pod is rectangular, but Stratton went toward it at an angle that didn’t allow her to hit flush. It was Raquel Rodriguez’s pod, and she laughed at Stratton for falling. 

Asuka was in next. She beat up both women and hit a double missile dropkick. Bliss was in next and took out Asuka and James before having a face-off with Stratton. Stratton gave her a rolling senton and went for PME, but Bliss knocked her off the ropes. Bliss had an exchange with Asuka until James knocked them both down and slingshotted Stratton into a pod. 

Rhea Ripley was in next (to a good reaction), and she gave Stratton a Razor’s Edge into Asuka. Ripley and Bliss traded counters until they wound up outside the ring on the steel (which is covered by padding). Bliss climbed the cage to avoid Ripley as a brawl saw everyone else wind up outside the ring. This led to Bliss wiping out everyone, minus James, with a Twisted Bliss off the pod. 

Bliss set up James for Sister Abigail, but Asuka misted her in the face, and James rolled up Bliss for the pinfall elimination about 13 minutes into the match. 

Rodriguez entered next and went after Ripley, but was targeted by the other three women. She shoved them away and proceeded to woman-handle everyone. Ripley tried a hurricanrana, which was a bad idea. Rodriguez caught her and slammed her into the cage and into the ring. (Rodriguez got no reaction on her way out, but got a round of applause here.) 

They continued to make Rodriguez look very strong. She gave James a running powerslam through a pod (Cole gave a shout-out to British Bulldog), which got a big reaction. Rodriguez then gave Asuka a Tejana Bomb onto James, and covered them both for the double pinfall elimination about 16 minutes in. 

Rodriguez, Ripley, and Stratton were suddenly the final three. Rodriguez was in full control of Stratton and set her up for something off the top rope. However, Ripley, who found herself atop a pod, flew off of it and nailed Rodriguez with a cannonball. Stratton followed with a PME on Rodriguez for the pinfall elimination about 20 minutes in. 

Ripley and Stratton were the final two. Stratton slipped out of a Razor’s Edge and hit an Alabama Slam for two. Ripley avoided a senton bomb and hit an electric chair facebuster for two (Stratton’s face was bloodied following this spot). Ripley went shoulder-first into the steel post, and Stratton followed with a senton bomb for two. 

Stratton set up for PME, but Ripley shoved her off the top and into a pod. Ripley followed with a Rip-tide for the pinfall win. The crowd was happy.

Ripley faces Cargill for the title at WrestleMania. Fireworks went off as Ripley pointed at the sign and as Cargill posed with her title belt. 

Match result: Rhea Ripley defeated Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Kiana James and Alexa Bliss to win the Women’s Elimination Chamber match (23:43) 

There were a few good spots, but this match was just alright. They go on and on about how dangerous the Chamber match is, but this didn’t really feel that way. 

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By the way, if you’re a YouTuber ripping off the recaps from this website without giving credit, cut it out. Simply take your own show notes, assuming you know how. 

The second match of the evening started at 7:59 pm. 

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

Lynch wore new gear, which included a top with full-length, baggy sleeves. 

Lee had a few moments to shine early in the match until Lynch booted her to take over. Lynch paced around the ring in between hammering away at Lee and repeatedly kicking her while she was down. 

Lynch hit an exploder, but Lee fought back with forearms and a bulldog. Lynch tried to cut her off, but Lee continued with a tornado DDT and a shining wizard for two. Lynch fought back and hit a superplex before immediately applying an armbar. Lee countered into a cradle for two, followed by a kick to the head. 

Jessika Carr chose this moment to reapply the turnbuckle cover, which was removed earlier. (They don’t have anyone else who can do this mid-match?) Lynch booted Lee into Carr and applied a schoolboy. Carr was able to count the fall, but Lee kicked out. 

Lynch tried a roundhouse kick, but Lee ducked, and Lynch knocked out Carr. Lee put Lynch in the Black Widow, and Lynch tapped out, but Carr was down. 

Lee went to check on Carr and was decked from behind by Lynch. Lynch tossed her around ringside, but Lee fought back. However, Lynch dropped her off the top rope and hit a DDT. (Both spots were meant to hit a steel chair that was in the ring, but both spots missed.) 

As Carr got to her feet, Lynch hit Lee with a Man-handle Slam, but Lee kicked out. Lynch was stunned. Lynch tried ramming Lee into the exposed buckle, but Carr stopped her. 

Lynch went for a Man-handle Slam again, but Lee slipped out of it. Lee avoided a charge, and Lynch went into the exposed buckle. Lee applied the Black Widow, and Lynch quickly tapped out. The crowd liked Lee, so they popped big for the win. 

Match result: AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (15:27)

Another fairly ordinary match, but it was laid out well, and the crowd got what they wanted. Lynch has had to do some heavy lifting the past few months, working almost exclusively with Maxxine Dupri and AJ Lee. I thought Lee did just fine here, considering it was her first singles match in over ten years. 

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R-Truth met with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis near the mystery crate backstage. Truth had a pizza because it was actually a pizza ad. The world title match is up next.

Members of the U.S. Air Force were shown in the crowd. Cole thanked them and the many other men and women around the world protecting our freedoms, “especially with what’s going on today.” 

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

Finn Bálor entered to his original WWE theme song as he did in Belfast. He did his usual theatrics, and a lot of fans posed along with him. 

CM Punk had a special entrance. He walked through the back to the sound of ‘Sirius’ by The Alan Parsons Project, a nod to the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls, as well as being introduced by former Bulls PA announcer Ray Clay. Punk entered the arena to ‘Cult of Personality’. His gear was in the style of the Blackhawks.

Punk had the early edge until Bálor dropped him ribs-first onto the top rope, and followed with a knee strike to the midsection. Bálor targeted Punk’s midsection from there. Punk fought out of an abdominal stretch, and both guys went down with a double clothesline spot. 

They traded strikes until Punk hit a clothesline and a bulldog. Bálor slipped out of a potential GTS, but Punk followed suicide dive and a flying clothesline back in the ring for two. Bálor responded with a headblock elbow drop for two. Bálor reversed a GTS into a small package before Punk hit a neckbreaker for two. 

Bálor knocked Punk off the top, but Punk avoided a Coup de Grace and followed with a knee strike and a flying elbow drop. Punk was bleeding from the mouth and took too long to make a cover. Bálor countered his cradle to one of his own for two, and he followed with a slingblade. 

Bálor went for a running dropkick, but Punk clotheslined him and applied an Anaconda Vice. Bálor fought out and hit repeated elbow strikes. Bálor hit an elevated reverse DDT and Coup de Grace for a nearfall. 

Bálor looked out toward the stage to see if his Judgment Day buddies would enter, but he seemed happy that they didn’t. He turned around, and Punk hit a GTS, but Bálor fell out of the ring. 

Punk went after him, but Bálor hit a slingblade and drove Punk through the barricade with a running dropkick. Bálor went for Coup de Grace, but Punk got his leg up and transitioned into a Sharpshooter until Bálor got a rope break. 

Punk repeatedly booted Bálor, hoisted him to his feet and into position to hit a GTS for the definitive pinfall win. 

— Bálor shook Punk’s hand after the match. 

AJ Lee ran out with her new IC title belt to embrace Punk. 

Match result: CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (20:23)

A perfectly fine match that also suffered greatly from Bálor being a very weak challenger. 

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Michael Chandler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Lil Yachty were in the crowd. 

The box is up next.

Danhausen debuts 

The mystery crate was on the stage and was pried open by Aldis and Pearce with crowbars. There was a wooden coffin inside the crate. About eight women dancers ran out of the coffin, and they were followed out by Danhausen. (The box was set up by the stage to make this work.) 

Danhausen marched to ringside and handed Cole a jar filled with teeth. The dancers surrounded Danhausen in the ring, and he did his little pose. The lights went out, and people booed. Danhausen disappeared when the lights came back on. 

(This went over like a lead balloon. He seemed to get a decent pop on the way out, but people were not pleased with this reveal.) 

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Cole mentioned the reveal of the masked man on SmackDown and said, “It was nobody!” Wade Barrett thinks it was a copycat. 

The first 2.5+ hours of the show have included 59 minutes of wrestling. 

Men’s Elimination Chamber match: Je’Von Evans vs. LA Knight vs. Randy Orton vs. Logan Paul (w/ Paul Heyman & Austin Theory) vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Trick Williams

The men took even longer to enter than the women earlier. Entrances for this lasted 19 minutes. 

Cody Rhodes and Je’Von Evans started. As Big E noted earlier, Evans was not born when the first Elimination Chamber happened in 2002. So, he’s also younger than Shawn Michaels’ brown tights.

Evans took down Rhodes with consecutive hurricanranas, but Rhodes responded by slamming him into the side of the cage. They got to their feet moments later as Trick Williams entered. 

Williams immediately dropped Rhodes before facing off with Evans. Williams blocked an OG Cutter before hitting a big backhand slap to Evans’ face. Williams caught both Evans and Rhodes on each side of his body and hit a double Book End/Rock Bottom. The announcers compared him to Booker T.  

Logan Paul entered next to a chorus of boos. The other three guys immediately pummeled him as the crowd cheered. The three guys wrestled for a bit until Paul hit Rhodes with a Buckshot lariat. 

LA Knight entered next. Knight stomped a mudhole on Paul, with whom he’s been feuding on Raw. Knight hit Williams with a neckbreaker before turning his attention back to Paul, driving him into a pod. Paul returned the favour by yanking Knight into a pod and into the cage. 

Paul climbed atop a pod, and Evans and Knight joined him there. Evans and Knight chucked Paul off the pod and into the ring, knocking over Rhodes and Williams. Knight then gave Evans a BFT on top of the pod. There isn’t a lot of room up there, so it sounded better than it looked. 

Randy Orton entered last. Orton handed out powerslams to Williams and Paul before dropping both with a double draping DDT. Orton set up for an RKO, but Knight dropped him with a DDT. 

Evans nailed Williams with a frog splash off the top of the pod, but Paul immediately caught Evans and hit Paulverizer for the pinfall elimination (so Evans was out first). 

Knight went for a step-up diving elbow drop, but slipped off the top, and the previously quiet crowd groaned. Knight followed by hitting Orton with a regular elbow drop. Moments later, Paul gave Knight a low-blow and a schoolboy for the pinfall elimination. Boy, that sequence could not have gone worse for Knight. 

Williams avoided a Paulverizer but landed in the arms of Rhodes, who hit a Cross Rhodes. Paul chucked Rhodes out of the way and covered Williams for the pinfall elimination. So Paul has now pinned Evans, Knight and Williams. 

The masked man tried scaling the outside of the cage, but was pulled down by security and escorted up the ramp. Pearce unmasked him, but it was a different random guy. They took him to the back. 

As Williams was taken out of the cage, a new masked man entered the open door of the cage. He dropped Paul with a thrust kick and a curb stomp. Rhodes pinned Paul for the elimination. 

The masked man revealed himself to be Seth Rollins, and the crowd went nuts. Heyman loudly shrieked. Rollins left through the crowd as the fans sang his song. 

Rhodes and Orton were the final two. The door was still open for some reason, so Drew McIntyre hit Rhodes from behind with his title belt. Rhodes recovered seconds later and fought back, but McIntyre dropped him with a headbutt. 

As McIntyre hammered away at Rhodes, Orton turned him around and hit an RKO. Rhodes grabbed McIntyre as Orton encouraged him to hit a Cross Rhodes. Rhodes hit the move, but Orton immediately nailed Rhodes with an RKO for the pinfall win. The crowd popped. 

Randy Orton is going to WrestleMania to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship. 

— The story here, obviously, was Orton pulling the trigger on his old friend to cash his ticket to WrestleMania. Orton looked on as Rhodes left the ring, but Rhodes did not look back. 

Match result: Randy Orton defeated Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Trick Williams, LA Knight and Je’Von Evans (24:55)

Another pretty average match with even fewer spectacular spots than the women’s Chamber match. There was more stuff going on in this one with the interference spots and Orton’s surprise win, so it’ll make for an interesting video package at least.