WWE World Title Booking Plans Revealed For Elimination Chamber 2026 (WWE News)
CM Punk's WWE schedule en route to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 is set to fill up.
WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reports that "one proposed idea" for Elimination Chamber 2026 on 28 February would see reigning World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defend his title once more against hopeful challenger Finn Bálor. Of course, the pair previously clashed in a fun match on the 19 January edition of Raw.
Punk successfully retained on that occasion, but now fresh claims are being made that Bálor will plug the gap in Punk's schedule before he meets Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns in the main event at either night of WrestleMania 42 in April.
It's understood that there's a fair chance the story will see Finn challenge Punk again. Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp said that "Punk would accept the rematch on 'his turf' after competing in Europe", which is obviously closer to Bálor's home in Ireland. Thus, a second do-over in Chicago for Elimination Chamber would make sense.
According to the report, Punk wrestling at Chamber has been considered for quite some time by WWE higher-ups. Again, that's logical. The Chicago market is always staunchly in his corner, and the company would be guaranteed a cracking atmosphere in the United Center for Punk vs. Bálor II.
This wasn't included in Fightful's write up, but not many fans would realistically expect Finn to take the title. So, match quality would be the lure here. Bálor hasn't worked in-ring since that 19 January loss, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for him with Judgment Day, Dominik Mysterio and more.
Sticking him in as a place holding challenger for Punk pre-Roman works in the short term.