Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley Earn Spot in Main Event at WrestleMania Following WWE Elimination Chamber 2026

Women’s Elimination Chamber Match: Rhea Ripley Secures WrestleMania Berth

Chicago, Illinois – February 28, 2026

The WWE Elimination Chamber event in Chicago concluded as the final main roster premium live event prior to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. The 2026 edition featured two title matches, two #1 contenders matches, and the unveiling of the mysterious crate’s contents, all contributing to the buildup for WrestleMania.

In the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, Rhea Ripley earned a spot in the WWE Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 42 by defeating Tiffany Stratton, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez, and Kiana James. Raquel Rodriguez dominated early by executing a running powerslam through a pod on Kiana James and a Tejana Bomb on Asuka, eliminating both simultaneously. Ripley and Stratton later united to remove Rodriguez, with Ripley delivering the final blow via the Riptide. The match ended with Ripley pinning Stratton after a sequence of eliminations. Ripley will face reigning champion Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42.

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match: Randy Orton Triumphs with Drew McIntyre’s Interference

The Men’s Elimination Chamber match saw Randy Orton defeat Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Jey Uso. Drew McIntyre’s unexpected interference played a critical role, as he attacked Rhodes with the WWE Championship, allowing Orton to capitalize with an RKO for the victory. This interference set up a storyline where McIntyre will face Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship on Friday, with the winner earning a title shot at WrestleMania 42. Seth Rollins, revealed as the masked man who attacked Logan Paul during the match, reentered the storyline following his return.

Mysterious Crate Reveal: Vampire Costumes and Danhausen’s Debut

In a separate match, Seth Rollins retained the Universal Championship by defeating Kevin Owens. Owens received a decisive RKO, securing Rollins’ victory. This outcome reinforced Rollins’ position in the storyline, with Owens’ defeat marking a turning point in their rivalry.

AJ Lee captured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, defeating Becky Lynch via submission with the Black Widow. This victory marked a significant comeback for Lee, who had not competed in singles matches since 2015, and set up potential rematches for WrestleMania.

The mysterious crate, a recurring mystery on Raw and SmackDown, was revealed to contain a wooden coffin. When opened, it unleashed a group of women in vampire costumes, followed by Danhausen’s debut. This event marked Danhausen’s official entry into WWE, accompanied by the theatrical presentation that had been teased for weeks. Danhausen’s entrance included a dramatic reveal of the vampire-costumed women, creating a visually striking moment for the audience.

Logan Paul’s Eliminations: A Fluky Outcome

Logan Paul was eliminated three times during the men’s Elimination Chamber match. He was first eliminated after being triple teamed by Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Cody Rhodes. Later, Paul was eliminated by a stomp from the masked man (Seth Rollins) after being attacked by LA Knight. His fluky elimination came after a missed running knee strike on an exposed turnbuckle allowed Rollins to lock in the Black Widow and force Paul to tap, though the match continued and Paul was eventually eliminated by a stomp from the masked man.

The Elimination Chamber 2026 event set the stage for WrestleMania 42 by delivering decisive outcomes and advancing key storylines. The night’s results, from the Women’s and Men’s Elimination Chamber matches to the surprise debuts and returns, have positioned WWE for a highly anticipated event in Las Vegas.