WWE Elimination Chamber 2026: 7 Things That NEED To Happen

Liv Morgan choosing Stephanie Vaquer as the champ she'll challenge at WrestleMania 42 on Monday's Raw was one of wrestling's worst kept secrets after Royal Rumble. Everyone knew that was going to be Liv's booking, which leaves Jade Cargill wondering who she'll tangle with in Las Vegas. For further proof of WWE's useless post-Rumble "decision", one need only look at Elimination Chamber.

The company had already set up a women's Chamber designed to thrash out Jade's next challenger for 'Mania, and Morgan was never involved. The good news is that somebody else will step up and go after Cargill on the grandest stage, although hopes are thinning by the week that Bianca Belair is gonna launch a popular comeback and get involved herself.

On the men's side, injuries have wrecked Raw's top title scene. Vision members like Bron Breakker are benched, and Bronson Reed just joined his buddy on this week's flagship. The upshot of this news is that neither could be included in hunts for CM Punk or Drew McIntyre's gold at all, but Triple H still has to decide what he wants to do with the latter.

Just 4 matches have been announced for this Chicago PLE at time of writing. However, someone's going to leap out of a box/crate, and hopefully it won't be a colossal disappointment. Then, there's AJ Lee's challenge to reigning Women's Intercontinental Champ Becky Lynch to round things out - a title switch could be in the works there.

Here's absolutely everything Hunter and pals have to get right this weekend.

'Accidentally on purpose'. Or, maybe Dom Dom will run in with pure intentions for his Judgment Day stablemate but legitimately muck it up and cost Finn Bálor his match vs. CM Punk. Whatever way you slice it, this should lead to Dominik vs. Finn at WrestleMania 42 regardless of how WWE frames the story. Being honest, this possible run-in is the only real story Saturday's afterthought World Title match has.

Bálor hoping to throw a spanner in the works for 'Mania season feels like the speed bump narrative it is. Everyone knows the match will be good bell to bell, but it's pushing it to even put this on a 4-match PLE and charge premium ticket prices for it. No wonder select fans are holding onto their cash and giving Vegas a miss - some of WWE's booking has been uninspired.

Meh, at least the writers can glean something tangible out of it by running Mysterio’s interference to kill Finn’s big dream. Then, everyone can get moving on the real matches people want to see. Namely, Punk defending against Roman Reigns and JD imploding enough for Finn to teach Dom a lesson that'll either keep JD McDonagh onside or cause him to start feuding with Bálor as well.

It wouldn't hurt (ironically) if Punk seemed a little gassed out and beaten up coming out of Elimination Chamber too. His broken down warhorse who's doing everything he can to prove he still belongs at the top tale is a winner, and it'll come in handy once a well-rested Roman launches his latest return in time for 'Mania.

Give Finn something to spin out of Chicago with, please.