Wwe Elimination Chamber: Ripley, Orton win; Punk retains and AJ Lee scores a shock title victory

Emerson Raymont

Published: March 1, 2026 10:06 PM ET

Wwe Elimination Chamber: Ripley, Orton win; Punk retains and AJ Lee scores a shock title victory

wwe returned to the United Center in Chicago on February 28, where Rhea Ripley and Randy Orton won Elimination Chamber matches that set up world title matches at WrestleMania 42, CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship, and AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to take the Women's Intercontinental Championship.

Wwe Elimination Chamber at the United Center

The event marked WWE’s return to the United Center for a premium live event — the venue’s first since SummerSlam 1994 — and featured the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches plus two high-stakes title bouts with direct WrestleMania 42 implications.

Ripley outlasts five rivals to punch a WrestleMania ticket

Rhea Ripley won the women’s Elimination Chamber by outlasting Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Kiana James and Alexa Bliss. Stratton and James started the match, and Bliss delivered a Twisted Bliss from the top of a pod before being blinded by blue mist from The Empress of Tomorrow, which allowed Kiana James to record the first elimination. Rodriguez arrived to pin both James and Asuka, while the tandem of Raquel Rodriguez and Tiffany Stratton later combined to eliminate Big Mami Cool. Ripley sent Stratton face-first into a pod and finished with the Riptide to secure the victory and a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42.

Orton pins Cody Rhodes after interference from McIntyre

Randy Orton won the men’s Elimination Chamber by pinning Cody Rhodes, with assistance from Drew McIntyre. After the show, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis announced that McIntyre will be forced to face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship on Friday to determine whom Orton will face at WrestleMania.

Punk survives Bálor; AJ Lee pulls off a dramatic win

CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship with a hard-fought victory over Finn Bálor in Chicago. The match saw Bálor outwrestle and dominate for stretches, threatening Punk’s hold on the title, but Punk prevailed and is now set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. In a separate match, AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship in a bout that included referee bumps, a steel chair and an exposed turnbuckle. The referee, Jessika Carr, collided with the exposed turnbuckle pad and later was knocked further from the action after taking a kick from Lynch. Lee used a chair and then sent Lynch into the exposed turnbuckle before applying the Black Widow for the submission victory.

Masked man revealed; Danhausen crate gimmick confuses fans

Seth Rollins was revealed as the masked man who attacked Logan Paul and helped eliminate him in the Chamber. A separate segment produced the crate reveal of Danhausen, a moment that was met with confusion from fans in attendance. The event’s coverage also included commentary and analysis; Andreas Hale breaks down all the action from Elimination Chamber in Chicago.

Pre-show predictions and recent form for several competitors

Ahead of the event, Mark Kaboly made several predictions and set the card’s context. He forecast that Punk would defeat Bálor, predicted AJ Lee would beat Becky Lynch, and saw the men’s Chamber as a three-man race between Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and LA Knight — adding that Je’Von Evans would “wow us” and that Orton would land an RKO on Evans at some point. Kaboly also noted that Jey Uso being taken out by a mystery man opened the door for Vision member Logan Paul to take the sixth Chamber spot over Jacob Fatu. The event was streamed live from the United Center beginning at 7 p. m. ET/4 p. m. PT.

Last time in action notes included the following recent results and appearances: Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky lost to Nia Jax and Lash Legend on SmackDown (February 27); Kiana James defeated Nia Jax and Charlotte Flair on SmackDown (February 20); Tiffany Stratton defeated Kairi Sane on SmackDown (February 27); Alexa Bliss defeated Giulia and Zelina on SmackDown (February 13); Raquel Rodriguez defeated Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane on Raw (February 23); and Asuka defeated Bayley and Nattie on Raw (February 16). Additional context noted AJ Lee had teamed with Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky to defeat Becky Lynch, Lash Legend, Nia Jax, Asuka and Kairi Sane at Survivor Series: WarGames (November 28), and Becky Lynch lost in the women’s Royal Rumble match (January 31). CM Punk’s recent activity included a win over AJ Styles double disqualification on Raw (January 26) and a prior victory over Finn Bálor on Raw (January 19).

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced that Drew McIntyre will face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship on Friday to determine whom Randy Orton will face at WrestleMania, while Rhea Ripley is slated to challenge Jade Cargill and CM Punk is set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42.