WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 predictions: Who heads to WrestleMania?

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAYFri, February 27, 2026 at 11:03 AM UTC

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Who is going to secure their spot at WrestleMania 42?

Elimination Chamber 2026 serves as the final premium live event before WWE’s grand spectacle, setting the stage for the biggest matches that will take place in April. The final top title match participants to face Drew McIntyre and Jade Cargill at WrestleMania will be decided in the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches. There can also be new champions heading into it, with the World Heavyweight and Women’s Intercontinental Championships on the line.

It's a monumental night in wrestling, so what will unfold in Chicago? USA TODAY Sports gives its predictions for Elimination Chamber 2026:

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Cody Rhodes during WWE Royal Rumble 2026 at Riyadh Season Stadium on January 31, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Women's Intercontinental Championship match: Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee

Lee has been a thorn is Lynch's side ever since she returned to WWE, making her submit in the two times they have faced each other. All signs point to Lee capturing her first title since coming back, but it feels like Lynch is going to get creative in order to keep her gold. She's done it before, and there's no reason she can't do it again. It's going to be a controversial finish, which will set the stage for a rematch at WrestleMania, where the real fight will take place. Winner: Becky Lynch.

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

Everyone has to admit Balor deserves the title. He has been a workhorse, still robbed in his first reign and given the changes in his character, it's the right time in his story to finally get back to the mountain top. However, it's not the right time in the company, and that supersedes anything else. There won't be anything getting in the way of Punk vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Punk wins in front of his hometown crowd, and seeds are likely planted for Balor to eventually leave The Judgment Day. Winner: CM Punk.

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Women's Elimination Chamber match

This feels like the real wild card of the night because you could make a case for nearly everyone to get the nod. Kiana James and Raquel Rodriguez are outside shots because of their storylines, and while Asuka would do great with the opportunity, it doesn't feel like there's a big enough draw to go against Cargill. The same goes for Alexa Bliss. That leaves Tiffany Stratton and Rhea Ripley. Stratton could cement a spot in the upper tier of the company with another WrestleMania title match, but will WWE really pass up a power vs. power title match with Ripley? It may be getting tiring, but another championship opportunity seems to be on the horizon. Winner: Rhea Ripley.

Men's Elimination Chamber match

There's one obvious pick for this match in Cody Rhodes. The question is whether WWE will stick with it or surprise us? It's a given Je'Von Evans and Trick Williams aren't winning this, leaving Randy Orton, LA Knight and Jey Uso as possible upsets. Orton would make the most sense as he is looking to climb up the WWE title record ladder, but it's so hard to envision him getting over Rhodes. However, what about an upset? A man that has gotten close to capturing top gold, but has fallen short every time. It's time to make a major move in the main event scene and have the WWE crowd rooting for LA Knight to get the WWE title in a WrestleMania build that would be incredible. Winner: LA Knight.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 predictions for every match

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