WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Delivers Shocking Winners and a Game-Changing Surprise Debut
Since the 2026 WWE Elimination Chamber event has such huge implications for how WrestleMania will play out, it was a pivotal event. Now that the event is over for another year, fans will want to know about the night's biggest surprises, which included an unexpected win, a title change, and an unusual WWE debut. Here is a breakdown of the Elimination Chamber's winners, its title change, and its surprise debut.
Randy Orton's Upset Victory
THE VIPER STRIKES AND IS GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA! ????@RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/OVhBFUrb6z
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
Before the event began, it seemed like a safe bet that Cody Rhodes would win the Men's Elimination Chamber match and go on to battle Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania for the Undisputed WWE Championship. After all, Rhodes lost the belt to McIntyre in dubious fashion, and he has headlined the last several WrestleManias. Despite that, Randy Orton prevailed after Drew McIntyre interfered to attack Rhodes.
Rhodes will still likely be in the title match at the biggest wrestling event of the year. After the match, SmackDown's General Manager, Nick Aldis, announced that McIntyre would defend his championship against Rhodes next Friday, March 6. Ultimately, a triple-threat match could be on the card.
CM Punk Retains After Defeating Finn Bálor
#ANDSTILL ????@CMPunk retains and WILL Main Event WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/utChW5ECER
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
Of all the outcomes of the night, CM Punk retaining his World Heavyweight Championship after defeating Finn Bálor by pinfall was by far the least surprising. That isn't a disrespect to Bálor at all, who the company really needs to upgrade and use to his full potential. Instead, it is a reflection of the obvious fact that CM Punk is one of the WWE's biggest stars and he was destined to be in a key role for WrestleMania.
AJ Lee's Emotional Comeback Title Win
#ANDNEW @TheAJMendez is the NEW Women's Intercontinental Champion! ???? pic.twitter.com/5OhaARgETJ
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
Since AJ Lee made her WWE return after many years away from the company, she has been locked in a fierce feud with Becky Lynch. After many chapters in their feud, a major moment happened during the WWE Elimination Chamber when Lee defeated Lynch for the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship.
The last time AJ Lee held a WWE belt was on November 23, 2014 when she lost the WWE Divas Championship to Nikki Bella. Her first title win in more than a decade is a huge deal for the wrestler who at one time seemed like she would never perform for the WWE again.
Rhea Ripley Heads to WrestleMania Gold
MAMI IS GOING TO MANIA! ????@RheaRipley_WWE pic.twitter.com/PaQbzNKRfg
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
Similar to CM Punk retaining his championship, Rhea Ripley winning the Women's Elimination Chamber match wasn't very surprising at all. Easily one of the WWE's most popular performers, Ripley has been a staple of the women's championship scene for years now. So, it seemed extremely likely that she would come out on top. Still, with five other women in the match, her victory was a bit more surprising than Punk's win.
The Surprise Debut of Danhausen and Widely Expected Return of Seth Rollins
.@DanhausenAD was in the BOX ???? pic.twitter.com/bYh7RADdu9
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
During the 2026 WWE Elimination Chamber, a large wooden box was brought out onstage. When it was opened, one of the most unique performers in the current wrestling scene, Danhausen, made his WWE debut. It will be fascinating to see what the WWE does with a performer like him, since he definitely doesn't fit the mold of the company's typical main event performers. However, the WWE has a history of taking great advantage of entertaining performers, and they clearly see something in Danhausen since he jumped directly to the WWE without a stop in NXT.
SETH ROLLINS IS BACK ????
— WWE (@WWE) March 1, 2026
LOGAN PAUL IS ELIMINATED pic.twitter.com/Xbbd7ZycPR
The event featured an appearance by another performer who wasn't advertised to be part of the show. During the Men's Elimination Chamber match, a masked man appeared, ensured Logan Paul was eliminated, and then revealed himself to be Seth Rollins. The return wasn't as big a surprise as WWE might have wanted, since leaks and predictions pointed to him being under the mask. Still, Rollins is a fantastic performer, and his return is very welcome.