Aj Styles Hall of Fame nod reshapes the road to Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania

Here’s the part that matters: aj styles' retirement and the Undertaker’s Hall of Fame announcement altered Monday’s Raw dynamic, immediately shifting focus from single matches to bigger WrestleMania and Chamber implications. The induction news landed amid qualifying matches, in-ring stoppages, and backstage ambushes — and several Superstars saw their WrestleMania trajectories change the same night.

Aj Styles' announcement and who feels the impact first

Undertaker arrived after aj styles officially retired to announce that The Phenomenal One will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. That moment reframed the show’s tone and touched multiple storylines: the Elimination Chamber picture, the WrestleMania challengers, and personal rivalries that were on display that night. What’s easy to miss is how a single ceremony moment quickly became a connective tissue for several segments that followed.

How the Raw tribute unfolded at State Farm Arena (Feb. 23, Atlanta)

The show — held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on February 23 — opened with a planned tribute to aj styles that was interrupted. Gunther took exception to the tribute during the opening segment with commentators on the mic; the Raw general manager ordered him out and he left under protest. Dragon Lee then ambushed The Ring General for the second time in as many weeks after they were separated backstage. Later in the night, Cody Rhodes attempted a scheduled opening segment but was cut off when The Vision, led by Paul Heyman, interrupted before Rhodes could speak. The heel faction delivered a promo and the Usos arrived to back up Rhodes; The Vision attempted an ambush but retreated when the World Tag Team Champions provided backup.

Elimination Chamber qualifiers and defining in-ring moments

Multiple qualifiers were decided for the Elimination Chamber. Jey Uso defeated Bronson Reed and the “Original” El Grande Americano in a Triple Threat to earn a Chamber spot. In that match, Americano used an enormous German suplex to take Reed out of the contest, and moments later Uso hit a spear and an Uso Splash to secure the victory and a ticket to Chicago. At one point in the match, Bronson Reed appeared to suffer a wrist or forearm injury that required medical attention at ringside. Raquel Rodriguez also qualified for the Elimination Chamber during the night.

Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania choice and the women’s title path

Women's Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan, flanked by Dominik Mysterio, revealed which champion she will challenge at WrestleMania 42. After Mysterio called out both Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer and the women’s champion Jade Cargill, Morgan said WrestleMania will be about telling her story. Morgan then attacked Vaquer, blasting her with the microphone, delivering an ObLIVion and leaving Vaquer lying. Morgan also offered an apology to La Primera during her remarks.

Other match outcomes, stoppages and last-action notes

Nattie defeated Maxxine Dupri referee stoppage after ruthlessly knocking Dupri out at ringside; the two had previously fought to a double count-out on an earlier episode. The Usos provided backup for Cody Rhodes against The Vision when that faction attempted to ambush Rhodes. Additional context for several competitors was noted: Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight had last lost to Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory on Raw on February 16; El Grande Americano and Je'Von Evans had previously defeated Los Americanos on an earlier show.

Promotional messaging on the broadcast reiterated that Premium Live Events and archival programming are available on multiple streaming and broadcast platforms and can be accessed across devices; specific platform names were referenced on the show’s distribution notes.

• State Farm Arena, Atlanta — February 23: tribute to aj styles interrupted by Gunther; Dragon Lee ambush.
• Triple Threat: Jey Uso over Bronson Reed and Original El Grande Americano — Uso spear and Uso Splash; Reed later required ringside medical attention for a wrist/forearm issue.
• Liv Morgan chose to challenge Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania 42; attack included ObLIVion and microphone strike.
• Nattie defeated Maxxine Dupri referee stoppage after a ringside knockout.
• Cody Rhodes was backed up by the Usos when The Vision attempted an ambush; The Vision had been led into the segment by Paul Heyman.

Micro Q&A
Q: Does the Hall of Fame announcement change immediate title pictures? A: The induction shifted focus and linked several segments to WrestleMania and Chamber stakes, affecting narrative momentum for multiple Superstars.
Q: Who secured Elimination Chamber spots that night? A: Jey Uso and Raquel Rodriguez qualified.
Q: Were there injuries or stoppages to note? A: Bronson Reed appeared to suffer a wrist/forearm issue that needed ringside attention; Nattie won referee stoppage after knocking out Maxxine Dupri.

The real question now is which of these threads — the Hall of Fame induction, Jey Uso’s Chamber ticket, or Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania pick — will be the dominant storyline heading into the Elimination Chamber on Saturday. The show mixed ceremonial moments with aggressive in-ring storytelling, and several narratives will need follow-up in the coming episodes.

It’s easy to overlook, but the mix of backstage interruptions and decisive finishes made this episode feel less like a standard build and more like a pivot night that set multiple paths toward Chicago and WrestleMania 42.