Elimination Chamber 2026 - Matches of Interest

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

Happy Elimination Chamber! So, this got more interesting than scheduled due to life happening and so we get to see how WWE does on the fly. They should be experts at it but given how bad it can get when they’re steering, it’s fair to be a little skeptical about how this all lands. Regardless, I’m only looking at 2 matches so, let’s see if I got a good read of the lay of the land.

First, it’s the Men’s Elimination Chamber. As is, I’m thinking this is the second to last match. With this in Chicago and CM Punk in a Championship Match, that has to close. And with the sudden changes, it’s technically anyone’s guess how this goes but ultimately, it has to go in a direction that leads to an entertaining match up with Drew McIntyre.

Let’s take a look at our players. We have Je’Von Evans, LA Knight, Randy Orton, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes and Trick Williams. At a glance, I would strike out Evans, Williams and Paul. Evans and Williams are too new. Paul is too much of an instigator. If they go there, it’s primarily to piss us and McIntyre off. Don’t count it out. I just wouldn’t go for it if I want to have some honest fun. 

That leaves Knight, Orton and Rhodes. Rhodes makes sense because he’s had enough of McIntyre and is ready to throwdown whether it’s “sanctioned” or not. It’s predictable and formulaic but it suits WrestleMania season. 

Knight would be a bit of a shocker but it makes sense in the sense of we’re running out of time. How long does Knight actually have? He’s only gonna get older. If you don’t pull the trigger now, when? 

And then there’s Orton. He’s again the “placeholder”. If all else fails, Orton makes for a good show and works whether he wins or loses. He’s a safe option and in a situation like this, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take an easy way out. 

Personally, I’m leaning towards the safest route in Rhodes. It’s unlikely he’s not in WrestleMania and this is the easiest way to get him in. If something else happens, it will probably be due to hijinks and in which case it’s up to WWE to make that outcome work. We shall see.

So that leaves Finn Bálor vs. CM Punk as the next interesting match. With Bronson Reed out, that puts a lot of plans up in the air which means whatever was the plan could be rewritten. That means there’s a good chance they go in a different direction. 

I wouldn’t be upset if they let CM Punk retain. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk is WrestleMania worthy and with the both of them getting on in Wrestling years, there’s a definite sense of now or never. 

Yet, this could be a choice time for Bálor too. He also is getting older and has been done a little dirty by WWE. His previous chances were laughable. Now, this whole Bálor concept could finally get established and make real time sense. All it takes is an opportunity. 

I guess what I’m getting at is I would only angle towards Bálor under these sorts of circumstances. There was a plan. It’s hard to say if he honestly factored but now that we can generally presume that a good chunk of those plans changed, then this is the sort of “opening” a “Dæmon” needs. 

So, I will close with this. If they decide to pivot, it’s imperative to do it right. Otherwise, what’s the point? They’ve already seen what the bare minimum is. If they go there, they have to go there. If they don’t want to, then let Punk win on home soil and let that part of WrestleMania go as planned. 

Bálor can come to life in other ways but the “stars aligning” here paints a believable tale. I would say they learn to take advantage of life happening. However, I don’t mind seeing a Punk/Reigns showdown either. Expect them to go in the most “profitable” direction.

All in all, that’s where my head’s at. I’m sure it’s not enlightening but there’s room for some creative maneuvering. Personally, I would go with Bálor for the Championship because it potentially helps more people out. Doing the same old, same old means curtains for others as we get the hint not to care. We’ll see if WWE cares to broaden  their view. 

The party starts at 4pm PST but I may get started a little earlier. Depends on what the day holds. I’ll be there, though. Don’t anyone worry. Let’s enjoy ourselves.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)