Elimination Chamber 2026: Predictions and Countdown to the United Center Show

The buildup to elimination chamber 2026 centers on a stacked card at the United Center in Chicago and a set of match-by-match predictions that aim to set WrestleMania 42 storylines in motion. The event is scheduled for Saturday with a national evening broadcast slot at 7 ET and a west-coast window at 4 PT.

Elimination Chamber 2026 card at the United Center and stakes for WrestleMania 42

The show in Chicago includes both men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches that offer world title shots at WrestleMania 42. The World Heavyweight Title match listed is CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor. The men’s Elimination Chamber match names Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Jey Uso and LA Knight. The women’s Elimination Chamber match lists Tiffany Stratton, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriquez and Kiana James. The World Heavyweight Title bout and the two Chamber matches are explicitly tied to WrestleMania 42 opportunities.

Mark Kaboly’s match-by-match predictions and key moments

Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly gave a series of predictions for the event. For the World Heavyweight Title match, Kaboly predicts CM Punk defeats Finn Bálor and that Bálor will be attacked inside the ring by "Dirty" Dom (Dominik Mysterio). Kaboly wrote that Punk cannot lose in his hometown of Chicago and suggested Punk must win cleanly to preserve a Punk vs. Roman Reigns main event direction for WrestleMania 42. Kaboly also frames Dominik Mysterio as the Intercontinental Champion who has had issues with his Judgment Day brother for some time and said those issues will come to a head at the event.

On the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match, Kaboly lists Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee and notes AJ Lee has not had a singles match in almost 11 years, with that first singles match coming against one of the most decorated Superstars. Kaboly predicts AJ Lee defeats Becky Lynch and includes the remark paraphrasing Roddy Piper: "Once you think you know that answers, I change the questions, " adding a suggestion to look for an upset.

For the men’s Elimination Chamber, Kaboly projects Je’Von Evans will stand out and that Randy Orton will hit a spectacular RKO on Evans during the match. He frames the finish as a three-man race involving Orton, Cody Rhodes and LA Knight, and predicts Cody Rhodes will last eliminate LA Knight. On the women’s Chamber, Kaboly expressed a desire for Rhea Ripley to return to main-event status after a tag-team phase; the preview of that segment in the provided context cuts off mid-sentence with the fragment "RHIYO has been nic, " which is unclear in the provided context.

Broadcast windows and Premium Live Event access

The event is listed to stream live from the United Center on Saturday at 7 ET/4 PT in the United States and on streaming services elsewhere. Promotional notes in the event materials encourage viewers to watch every Premium Live Event and promise unlimited access to premium content across devices. The materials reference accessing Premium Live Events through a company website, dedicated apps and several named streaming partners for different territories and shows.

Related programming: SmackDown in Louisville and AEW Collision in Denver

Preview notes point to a final push on SmackDown, which is scheduled to be live from Louisville, Kentucky, at the KFC Yum! Center and to serve as a lead-in toward the Elimination Chamber card. AEW Collision was taped midweek in Denver at the Mission Ballroom and will be presented in its regular primetime window. Audio and same-night review coverage plans are mentioned, with a partnership that pairs Jake Barnett with Jason Powell for an audio review available to paid members of that review outlet.

Obituaries and historical anniversaries noted in coverage

The roundup includes brief historical notes and obituaries: Earl Caddock was born on February 27, 1888 and died at age 62 on August 25, 1950. Buddy Austin (also referenced as Austin Rapes) was born on February 27, 1929 and died at age 52 of a myocardial infarction on August 13, 1981. Bill White was born on February 27, 1945 and died at age 76 on September 7, 2021. Dave Levin (George Wenzel) was born on February 27, 1913 and died at age 91 on August 25, 2004.

Readers and attendees are invited to send reports from SmackDown in Louisville and from Saturday’s Chicago event to a contact email listed for event coverage coordination.