By Jay’Mi Vazquez
Managing Editor
The WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 event delivered a night of wrestling that was equally chaotic, memorable and controversial.
Held at the United Center in Chicago on Feb. 28, this year’s Chamber had everything from career-defining victories to surprise debuts and booking decisions that had fans talking long after the show went off the air.
The night centered around the two Elimination Chamber matches that would determine future title challengers, and both matches delivered in very different ways.
In the Women’s Chamber match, Rhea Ripley outlasted a stacked field that included Tiffany Stratton, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez and Kiana James.
The match had exciting bursts of action and strong individual performances, but it lacked some of the brutal storytelling that Chamber matches are known for.
Ripley’s victory felt somewhat predictable and even a bit underwhelming in the moment, but it still accomplished what it needed to. It reinforced her position as a dominant force in the women’s division and kept her momentum strong heading into WrestleMania 42.
I am genuinely interested in seeing her clash with Jade Cargill for the Women’s Championship on that stage because both women bring power and presence that could create something special.
On the men’s side, the Chamber was far more chaotic.
Randy Orton ultimately emerged victorious, which did not surprise me. Orton winning feels like the safest possible direction for WWE to take, almost certainly setting up one final world title run before his eventual retirement.
There is history and nostalgia attached to that idea, but it does not exactly feel bold.
That said, Orton’s win was not the standout moment of the match.
The biggest shock came when Seth Rollins returned from injury and interfered dramatically, completely shifting the momentum of the bout as Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul and Orton were left as the final competitors.
His involvement added unpredictability and instantly injected life into a match that was starting to feel formulaic.
Rollins seems positioned to factor into the storyline involving The Vision faction, particularly with injuries currently affecting several members. The potential is there, but the direction remains unclear.
Outside of the Chamber matches, WWE kept the energy high. AJ Lee scored the biggest win of her recent career by capturing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch. This marked her first singles title in over a decade and served as one of the emotional highlights of the night.
The crowd’s reaction alone made it feel significant, and it was a reminder of how much history Lee carries.
In the main event scene, CM Punk defended his World Heavyweight Championship in his hometown against Finn Bálor in a hard-fought match that lived up to expectations.
Punk retained, setting up a blockbuster WrestleMania main event against Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns. That match alone gives WrestleMania massive star power and stakes.
However, the night also featured the debut of Danhausen.
On paper, this should have been one of the most talked about moments of the night for positive reasons.
Danhausen has a distinct personality and built a loyal fan base during his time in All Elite Wrestling.
Unfortunately, his debut landed flat and has been heavily critiqued on social media.
Weeks of teasing a mysterious wooden crate on Monday Night Raw created plenty of intrigue, but the reveal of Danhausen inside the crate did not fully play to what makes his character unique or entertaining. Instead, the moment felt rushed and oddly toned down.
Still, I am optimistic. A debut does not define a run. If WWE commits to presenting Danhausen in a way that embraces his eccentric style rather than softening it, there is room for something memorable.
Overall, the event was a strong but uneven show. It advanced major storylines and delivered a few emotional highs yet relied heavily on safe booking choices.
With WrestleMania on the horizon, the foundation is set.
Now, it is up to WWE to take risks and turn this momentum into something truly unforgettable.
